Status of Stem Rot of Vanilla Incited by Fusarium oxysporium f.sp.vanillae in Karnataka

Vanilla plant is affected by several plant pathogens. Among the diseases on vanilla, stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae is the most important disease and causing huge loss to the farmers. Stratified random sampling survey was conducted during the year 2004–2005 to assess stem rot disease incidence on vanilla at different places in Karnataka. During the survey, distribution of stem rot in different districts of Karnataka and prevalence of various other diseases in vanilla along with disease incidence was also recorded. Highest disease incidence of 30 per cent was recorded in new mandli area of Shimoga and a minimum of 5 per cent in several places with a mean incidence of 8.40 per cent in southern Karnataka.