Department of Plant pathology, CSK HPKV, Palampur-176062
National Symposium on Strategic Issues in Plant Pathological Research held at Department of Plant Pathology, CSK HP Krishi Vishvavidayalaya, Palampur on November 24–25, 2011
Eggplant or brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most important solanaceous vegetable crops of India cultivated year round in all parts except high altitude as a summer crop & as a warm humid summer vegetable crop in Himachal Pradesh. In the state the growing period of crop coincides with rainy season & subjects crop to many fungal, bacterial & viral diseases. The fungal species of Alternaria, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Phytophthora and Phomopsis have been reported to cause fruit rots from many parts of country with losses varying from 5–50% under field conditions. Regular surveys of Major brinjal growing areas of different district of Himachal Pradesh conducted during the cropping seasons Kharif 2008–2010 at fruit bearing stage revealed the association of Colletotrichum and Fusarium speices in Chamba, Kangra and UNA districts of Himachal Pradesh thus constitute the first report from Himachal Pradesh with higher incidence 37.1 & 27.3%, respectively.
