The characteristic symptom is the whitish superficial powdery appearance of fungal growth on the inflorescence.

The sepals are more prone to infection than other floral parts. The fungus spreads to tender young fruits, leaves and shoots.

Young fruits covered by mildew become misshapened, turn yellow, remain undersized and drop-off pre maturely at pea size stage.

Young new leaves are attacked mostly on the underside as small irregular grayish patches, but in advanced cases, both sides are attacked.

Often these patches coalesce and occupy large area turning into purplish brown and necrotic. Such leaves curl downwards and become distorted.

The fungus survives under dense foliage during off-season.

During the flowering period that is from December-March, the conducive environmental conditions such as cold nights, cloudy weather and heavy morning mist favours the spread ofthis disease.

Spray of fungicides is the best management strategy for controlling this disease.

One spray should be given before flowering followed by 2-3 sprays at fortnightly intervals.

The loss could be reduced by nearly 50-75 per cent if branches are shaken after each shower.

Removal and burning of affected leaves, blossoms, twigs are recommended as sanitary precautions to control the spread of this disease.

KENGANAL

HEMAVATI

RANEBENNUR

& BYADGI, A. S<