Journal of Plant Disease Sciences

Wilt (Ceratcystis fimbriata) is the second most important and devastating disease next to oily spot disease of pomegranate (Punica granatum), the most remunerative and export oriented fruit crop of the Maharashtra state. Present study results indicated that due to soil borne nature of the pathogen (C. fimbriata), the method of irrigation practiced by the pomegranate growers as well as age of the orchards significantly influenced the percentage incidence and distribution of wilt disease within the orchards. The pomegranate orchards under flood irrigation were found to be affected severely with the disease. Of the ten districts surveyed, highest (14.47%) wilt incidence was recorded in Nasik district. Comparatively maximum average wilt incidence (13.53%) was recorded in the orchards with flood irrigation. Orchards below three years age exhibited minimum (28.12%) wilt incidence as compared to that of the orchard above three years age (63.23% incidence). In the early age (< 3 years) orchards the wilt disease distribution pattern was mostly discrete type; whereas, in the medium age (> 3 years) orchards it was linear to concentric.