Major Asparagus diseases are given below:-
1.Asparagus Crown Rot & Seedling Blight: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides
Symptom:
- Crown rot coupled with winter injury can reduce newly seeded and established asparagus plantings by up to 50% or more in a year.
- Infected seedlings will exhibit stunting, yellowing and wilt of the foliage as the primary roots are rotted off.
- Established plants will produce spindly spears in the spring. Shoots become dwarfed, wilted and brown in colour.
- Later in the season one or more shoots per crown appear stunted, turn yellow, then can wilt and die. Roots are also rotted and discoloured.
Identification of pathogen:
- The disease is caused by complex of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi, Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium verticillioides
Management:
- The disease is a seed- and soil-borne. New plantings should be established on soil (well-drained, sand-loam soils are preferred) where asparagus has not been previously grown for at least five years.
- Use strong healthy plants (1-year crowns) to start a plantation and to ensure good plant health by following good planting and growing procedures such as fertilization, insect and weed control and avoid over harvesting.
2.Asparagus Purple Rot: Stemphyllium vesicarium
Symptom:
- This disease can render the spears unmarketable by the presence of numerous purplish lesions or spots.
- The lesions are superficial, slightly sunken and purple. There can also be larger spots that are brown in the middle with a purple margin.
- Often these lesions will be more prevalent on one side of the spear that the other.
- On the asparagus fern, there will be light brown lesions, up to 15mm long, with dark purple edges. In severe cases, defoliation and dieback can happen. Repeated defoliation can lead to a reduction in yield.
Identification of pathogen:
- The disease is caused by Stemphyllium vesicarium.
Management:
- Remove or bury crop residue in the fall to help limit infection.
3. Asparagus Rust: Puccinia asparagi
Symptom:
- Red or brown elongated spots appear on the shoots spears or needles of asparagus.
- Successive years if infestation reduces root vitality resulting in poor shoot development and death.
Management:
- Remove or bury crop residue in the fall to help limit infection.
Source-
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TamilNadu Agritech Portal
