Vanilla diseases

Major Vanilla diseases are:-

1.Vanilla Root rot: Fusarium sp., Sclerotium sp.

Symptom:

• Browning of roots leading to rotting and decay.
• Yellowing of leaves stems and leaves becoming flaccid, shrivelled and giving a drooping appearance.

Management:

• Cut and remove the affected roots, reduce mulch.
• Soil drench and spray the plant with 0.2 % Copper oxychloride @ 2 or 3 litres per plant.

 

2.Vanilla Stem rot: Fusarium sp.

Symptom:

• Water soaked lesions giving the stem a brown coloured appearance resulting in rotting of tissues leaves turning yellowish and drying off.

Management:

• Cut and remove the affected portion
• Spray 0.2% Carbendazim, repeat spray after one month.

 

3.Vanilla Bean rot: Phytophthora sp.

Symptom:

• Rotting and shedding of beans

Management:

• Spray 0.1% Carbendazim and 1 % Bordeaux mixture alternatively at weekly intervals

 

4.Vanilla Shoot tip rot: Fusarium, Sclerotium

Symptoms:

• Decaying of shoot tip and leaves at the tip

Management:

• Spray 0.1% Carbendazim at 15 days interval.

 

 

5.Vanilla mosaic: Vanilla mosaic virus

Symptoms:

• Mosaic pattern or mottling on foliage.
• Stunting sterility and leaf distortion

Management:

• Uproot and destroy the affected plant

Important Prophylactic Measures

• Timely shade management
• Avoid excess moisture
• Allow free movement of air
• Avoid overcrowding of vines by keeping adequate spacing
• Avoid excessive manuring and use of fresh cow dung.
• Apply recommended doses of bio agents like Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, Bacillus etc.
• Avoid excessive mulching during rainy season and mulching with materials that are not easily decomposed
• Collect and destroy the parts of plants showing disease symptoms.

To prevent the chances of multiplication of these fungi and spread of these diseases, the following should be adhered to,

• Avoid excessive use of manure, mulch and irrigation
• Cut and remove disease affected plant parts and burn them.
• Do not use planting materials procured from infected gardens.
• Avoid close planting of vines and over crowding. Follow the recommended spacing.
• Viral disease affected vines should be uprooted and burnt.
• Do not use implements, which have been used on disease-affected plants on healthy plants without thoroughly washing and cleaning them.

 

 

Source-

• TamilNadu Agritech Portal