Effect of Pest and Pathogen infections on growth of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels

Saira George¹ and Justin R. Nayagam²*

^1&2Department of Botany, Union Christian College, Aluva, (Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam) India.

*Correspondence Detail: Email address ✉: drjustinrnayagam@gmail.com

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels commonly known as jamun is an important plant in traditional system of medicine for many diseases such as cardio- metabolic diseases as the fruits are rich in antioxidants and other phyto chemicals with curative and healing properties. Artificial regeneration of the plant species is the only solution for raising plantation of the species. Observations of present study are from an ongoing plantation program of Syzygium cumini seedlings grown in root trainers maintained in poly house. Invasion of seedling with Ceroplastes stellifer (CS), Corynespora cassiicola (CC), Penicillium sp. (PS) and Phyllachora ambigua (PA) are identified. It is found that these pathogens interfere with the growth patterns of seedlings in the nursery. AGR based on plant height was highest in healthy plants from 0-30 days (0.377±0.0024a). AGR was least in plants infected with Corynespora cassiicola from 30-60 days (0.004±0.0011e) and 60-90 days (0.005±0.0009d) of growth. Plants infested with Phyllachora ambigua also showed very low AGR from 60-90 days (0.008±0.0011d). Mean AGR from 0-90 days was highest in healthy plants and least in C. cassiicola infected plants. Growth analysis based on mean height, AGR and LAI shows that retardation in growth rate of infected plants was in the order CC > PA > PS > CS. A better understanding of several leaf spotting fungi and pests, extend of infections caused by them is essential for the management of seedlings. Thoughtful handling of plants in the nursery is required in order to get rid of these pathogens during plantation programs.

Key words: Ceroplastes stellifer; Corynespora cassiicola; Penicillium sp.; Phyllachora ambigua.

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