Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Punicae

Pomegranate bacterial blight

Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae Bacterial blight of pomegranate

Relative humidity above 50% and temperature between 25 - 300C, over-use of nitrogen fertilizer, micronutrient deficiency and reduced plant health leads to swift development of bacterial blight.

Symptoms

Development of water-soaked spots which turns to dark black colour oily appearance on leaves results in premature defoliation. The pathogen also infects branches and stem as water soaked necrotic spots causing girdling and cracking symptoms. Necrotic water-soaked spots appearance on the fruits which turn to dark brown colour slightly raised with oily appearance. Splitting of fruits under severe infection.

Disease cycle

Infected cuttings are the main source of inoculum and wind splashed rains plays important role is spread of the disease. Intermittent rainfall followed by cloudy weather favours the disease development and further spread.

Management

Spray Veni GoKlean at the rate of 1.25 to 1.5 ml per litre of water at 10 to 12 days intervals.