Major Fig diseases are:-
1.Fig Anthracnose: Glomerella cingulata
Symptom:
- The fungus which causes anthracnose attacks both the fruit and the foliage. Infected fruit is characterised by a soft rot and premature dropping of the fruit.
- Immature fruit is dried up and may remain on the tree. Infection results in a small, sunken, discoloured area.
- The areas enlarge with age and become covered with a pink mass of spores.
- Affected leaves will have a dark brown margin. Defoliation occurs with increased infection.
Management:
- Sanitation is extremely important in the fig planting. Diseased fruit, as well as infected leaves, should be removed.
2.Fig Mosaic: virus
Symptom:
- Affected figs show large yellow areas in the leaves, oak leaf pattern, ring spot area, or a mild mottled pattern.
- Leaves may be smaller than normal and deformed. Premature defoliation and fruit drop often occur.
- The virus is spread by vegetative cuttings and Aceria ficus (eriophyid mite).
Management:
- Control is by selection of clean propagating stock and insect control.
3.Fig Rust: Physopella fici
Symptom:
- The disease is first evident as small, angular, yellow-green flecks on the leaf.
-
The spots do not become extremely large but do become more yellow and finally a yellowish-brown.
-
The margin of the spot is reddish in colour. On the upper surface, the spots are smooth, while on the lower surface the spots appear as small blisters.
-
Brown spores are released from the blisters at maturity. As infection continues, the leaves become more yellow, and finally, they begin to die around the leaf margins.
-
Eventually, death and defoliation occur. Complete defoliation can occur in two or three weeks. Fig rust generally becomes a problem as the fruit reaches maturity.
Management:
-
Therefore, fungicide applications should be started in the early spring when the first leaves are completely grown.
-
Make additional applications as new growth is formed.
-
Do not spray when the fruit is one-fourth inch in diameter as the spray residue will make the fruit unattractive.
-
Resume spraying after the fruit has been harvested.
4.Fig Leaf Blight: Pellicularia kolerga
Symptom:
-
In early stages of infection, small areas in the leaves become yellow and appear water-soaked. With continual development, the upper surface becomes silvery white, and the lower surface becomes light brown and covered with a thin fungal web.
-
In most cases, the leaves will turn brown and shrivel.
-
It affects primarily the leaves but may develop on some fruit if it is new and a severely affected leaf or stem tip.
Management:
-
Sanitation is the only recommendation to reduce losses from this disease.
Source-
- TamilNadu Agritech Portal
