Wilt in Gram
Gram wilt
This disease causes withering of plants, resulting in their partial or complete death.
The roots turn brown inside.
This disease occurred with high temperatures and that late sowing accompanied by a fall in temperature reduced the incidence of wilt.
Sowing of this crop before 15th of October reduced the severity of the disease.
High temperature during sowing and flowering, deficient soil moisture and bad soil condition were the main causes of wilting.
Early wilt occurred about 10 to 15 days after sowing and that late wilting was observed at flowering to pod formation.
The following cultural operations were recommended for controlling the wilt
1. Loosening the sub-soil during the monsoon to retain all available moisture in the soil.
2. Ploughing 6-7 inches with a turn-rest plough and levelling the land.
3. Sowing by the 'Pora' method.
4. Sowing between the second and third week of October.
5. Irrigation during November-December, but not in February and March.
Growing resistant varieties can, however, be said to be the best and sure preventive measures against the disease, which is caused by Fusarium.
An unusual wilting of gram plants was also seen in the heavy soils of South Bihar, causing 5 to 10 per cent mortality of plants.
The plants did not branch properly, appeared sickly and died slowly.
The hyphal strands were observed to creep up the stems of the infected plants to cause brownish streaks.
A few cinnamon-brown sclerotia were found on the basal portion of the infected stems.
The fungus was identified as Ozunium texanum, probably identical with the var. parasiticum thirumalachar.
The common wilt, a soil-borne disease, caused by Fusarium orithoceras App. et. Wr var. ciceri Padwick is very serious in the Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madras and parts of the Mysore and Maharashtra States.
ICCV - 2 (swetha) and ICCC - 37 (Kranthi) are tolenant to thin deisease.
Regds
Manoj Singh
