Gram Blight

History and Importance:

  • Reported in 26 countries
  • In 1930s it caused total loss of crop in Spain
  • In Sub-continent (Pak) appeared in epidemic form in 1922-33 & caused losses about 70 %

Etiology:

Causal organism: Ascochyta rabei

Symptoms:

  • Circular spots appear on leaves & pods, elongated spots on petioles & stem
  • Brown dots formed in the spots
  • Seeds in pods may also show lesions
  • In severe attack stem girdled (trapped) at base & plants die 

Disease cycle:

  • Survive as pycnidia on debris in soil & also on seed
  • Secondary spread is through rain drops & splashes, by insects & strong wind

Epidemiology:

  • High rain fall & Temp. 22-26°C are conducive for epidemic

Management:

  • Removal & destruction of plant debris
  • Crop rotation & deep sowing
  • Intercropping with cereals
  • Seed treatment with Agrosan, copper sulphate
  • Spray Zineb, Mineb, Captan, Dacnil
  • Resistant varieties (F-8, C-325, C-727, Kabli)

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