Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore
A serious outbreak of anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum lagenariwn (Pass.) Ell. and Halst was noticed at Bangalore during the months of July to October. The infection was observed on leaves, stems, fruits and tendrils of snakegourd (Tricho-santhes anguina L), ashgourd (Benincasa hispida Thunb. & Cogn), tinda or round-melon (Citrullus vulgaris var. fistulosus L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. and Mansf.), bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria Mol and Standi.) Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) and cucumber (C. sativus L.).
All the isolates were morphologically similar and pathogenic on different host plants. The watermelon isolate was more virulent than others thereby indicating the presence of physiologic races.
The disease could be effectively controlled by spraying with benlate (0.2 per cent), at weekly intervals followed by difolation (0.3 per cent). Benlate sprayed plots gave significantly higher yields.
