Diseases of Pomegranate
1.Cercospora fruit Spot: Cercospora sp.
Symptom
The affected fruits showed small irregular black spots, which later on coalesce, into big spots.
Management
The diseased fruits should be collected and destroyed. Two to three spray at 15 days interval with Mancozeb 0.25%.
2.Leaf Spot or Blight: Colletotrichum gloesporioides; Pseudocercospora punicae; Curvularia lunata and Cercospora punicae)
Symptom
The disease is characterized by appearance of small, irregular and water-soaked spots on leaves.Affected leaves fall off.
Pathogen
Conidiophores are olivaceous brown, short, fasciculate, sparingly septate. Conidia are hyaline to pale olivalceous cylindric and septate.
Mode of spread and survival
The pathogen spread through wind borne conidia.
Management
Spraying Mancozeb 0.25 % at 15 days interval gives good control of the disease.
3.Alternaria fruit spot: Alternaria alternata
Symptom
Small reddish brown circular spots appear on the fruits. As the disease advances these spots, coalesce to form larger patches and the fruits start rotting. The arils get affected which become pale and become unfit for consumption.
Management
All the affected fruits should be collected and destroyed. Spraying Mancozeb 0.25 % effectively controls the disease.
4.Fruit Rot :(Aspergillus foetidus)
The symptoms are in the form of round black spots on the fruit and petiole. The disease
starts from calyx end and gradually the entire fruit shows black spots. The fruit further rots
emitting a foul odour.
Management
The disease can be controlled by spraying of Bavistin (0.5%), Dithane M-45 (0.25%) or
Dithane Z-78 (0.25%) at an interval of 10-15 days from the onset of flowering.
