Epidemiological studies in relation to the incidence of disease and pests of field crops, fruits and vegetables in Burdwan, West Bengal.
Chakraborty M. R., Chatterjee N. C.
Author Affiliation: Department of Botany, Burdwan University, Burdwan - 713 104, West Bengal, India.
Plant Archives 2 : 317-321
Abstract : Climatic factors contributing to pest and disease incidence in fruits, vegetables, and cereal crops in markets and farms in Burdwan were studied in 2000 and 2001. The incidence of blast [Magnaporthe grisea], brown spot [Cochliobolus miyabeanus], and bacterial blight [Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae] in rice (cultivars IR 36 and Ratna) was highest when the prevailing temperature, humidity, and rainfall remained high in August and September. Stem borer (Tryporyza incertulas [Scirpophaga incertulas]), leaf hopper (Nephotettix impicticeps [N. virescens]), and gandhi bug (Leptocorisa varicornis [L. acuta]) on rice was high during panicle formation (from mid-September to October) when the temperature was 27-34°C and the relative humidity was 85-90%. In wheat, the highest rust [Puccinia sp.] incidence was recorded at the onset of panicle formation until seed maturation. Club root [Plasmodiophora brassicae] was prevalent on Indian mustard when the temperature was approximately 24°C and the relative humidity was 80-90%. In potato, early blight [Alternaria solani] and late blight [Phytophthora infestans] were observed when the temperature, humidity, and soil pH was 25°C, 75-85%, and 5.7, respectively. Crop loss due to diseases was most pronounced in Bazar. Banana was more susceptible to damage than mango and apple. Among vegetables, tomato was most prone to damage, especially in Bazar and Baranilpur Bazar markets.