Occurrence and incidence of important diseases of pomegranate in Himachal Pradesh

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rapidly developing crop grown for its fruits in Himachal Pradesh. During last decades, pomegranate crop has witnessed a tremendous growth potential in mid hill zone of Kullu and Mandi districts. However, its cultivation is adversely affected by various foliar (leaf spots), fruit (spots and rots) and soil borne (wilt) diseases resulting in huge losses to the growers. Therefore, a survey of pomegranate growing areas was conducted during June to September 2011 to record the occurrence and incidence of diseases and attempts were made to isolate and identify associated fungal and bacterial pathogens. Wilt disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata and Fusarium oxysporum with their incidence varying from 1.03 to 15.3 and 0.1 to 7.3 per cent, respectively, has posed the threat to pomegranate cultivation. This disease was further found more pronounced in areas having heavy soils retaining high moisture conditions. Incidence of leaf and fruit spots mainly by Cercospora punicae (Pseudocercospora punicae) and Alternaria alternata was 1.1 to 17.31 per cent. Similarly, fruit rotting caused by Coniella granati (1.0 to 14.8%), Phomopsis aucubicola (1.0 to 14.7%) and Phytophthora nicotianae (1.4 to 13.6%) was also recorded at different locations. Incidence of anthracnose (7.3%) caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was recorded only in Hamirpur and Kullu district. A bacterial pathogen (Xanthomonas axonopodis) causing leaf and fruit spots and subsequent fruit rotting beside causing stem and twig canker was also recorded only in Kullu and Mandi district. However, stem and twig canker were recorded only on Mridula and Sindhuri varieties directly introduced by the farmers from Maharashtra.