ETIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF CITRUS BLACK ROT CAUSED BY ALTERNARIA CITRI- AN OUTLOOK

Citrus is an important fruit crop of the world. It is the most important commercial fruit crop having higher moisture contents and nutrient composition. Citrus losses are mainly due to diseases that highly affect their quality and quantity. Black rot of fruit caused by Alternaria citri , is a significant fungal disease of citrus that causes severe losses in citrus orchards of the world. It affects most of the members of the citrus family and often causes severe losses. The disease primarily affects the aboveground parts of plants, leaves explicitly, and fruits. The first symptoms, however, usually appear on the leaves as black necrotic lesions. Later black necrotic lesions are also formed on fruits, and with the age of plants, the fruits become soft and black rot. The disease has been controlled by cultural practices and by growing resistant cultivars that do not allow the entry of the pathogen. Preharvest fungicides are also applied to prevent the disease but are not highly effective. Postharvest sprays with fungicides have also controlled the disease. However, fungicides are not eco-friendly, and demands for alternatives are arising. Other options are the application of biological control agents; however, biological agents are not effective under field conditions. The present review summarizes the current status of black rot of citrus and its management strategies.