Susceptibility of Mango Cultivars to Powdery Mildew (Oidium Mangiferae) in Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh

During 2003–07, twenty mango cultivars were investigated for their susceptibility level to Oidium mangiferae in low hills of Himacbal Pradesh. Among all, Totapari was the only moderately susceptible cultivar and others ranged in susceptible category. The mean average maximum and minimum temperature ranges were 16.9° to 31.5° and 4.1° to 16.5°C, respectively; mean relative humidity remained above 80% during January to April were the most congenial for rapid mildew progression on panicles under natural conditions causipg the disease to become endemic. All the cultivars start blooming from February onwards with average panicle elongation period of 44.27 days. Prolonged period of panicle elongation also favored the mildew development. Different cultivars responded significantly to chemical control of mildew with Bavistin (0.1%). Minimum PDI was recorded in case of Amarpalli cultivar.