Occurrence of leaf scab caused by Spilocaea pyracanthae on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) in the Pothowar region of Pakistan

Loquat [ Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl . ] is attacked by many diseases. Among these, loquat scab caused by Spilocaea pyracanthae is the main disease affecting this crop. The fungus can infect leaves and fruits, reducing the marketable quality of the latter. There is no information about the occurrence of this disease in Pakistan. Therefore, in the present studies extensive surveys of loquat orchards were conducted in 2013 in the Pothowar region of Pakistan to determine the occurrence of leaf scab. During surveys heavy infestations of this disease was observed on loquat. There was hardly any loquat orchard in the area free from the infestation of this disease. Leaf symptoms were observed as olive brown, opaque necrotic sub-circular spots, with light brown coloration in the center. Two or more spots coalesced in severe infections covering large leaf areas. The fungus was identified as S. pyracanthae on the basis of conidia and morphological characters. As the disease is prevalent throughout the Pothowar region with varying intensities, therefore, stringent surveillance and necessary control strategies are needed to keep the disease from spreading.