OCCURRENCE OF GUAVA ANTHRACNOSE IN PUNJAB (PAKISTAN) AND ITS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT

Survey of guava (Psidium guajava L.) orchards was conducted to assess the incidence and severity of fruit anthracnose of guava in Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Jhang and Chiniot districts of Punjab province. Maximum disease incidence was recorded in Shiekhupura (24%) followed by Sargodha (18.37%) while minimum in Chiniot (9%). Disease severity in Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Jhang and Chiniot districts was recorded as 55%, 42%, 35%, 46%, 31% and 22% respectively. Efficacy of different chemicals (mancozeb, daconil, ridomil gold, derosal, bayleton, aliette), biological agents (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, Trichoderma harzianum) and Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) was tested in vitro against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of anthraconose of Guava. Aliette was the most effective at all concentrations followed by mancozeb which was effective at 20 and 40 ppm concentrations but less at 60 ppm. Derosal was least effective at its all concentrations. Aspergillus flavus and Pseudomonas florescence were found to be the most effective treatments among fungi and PGPR evaluated respectively in inhibiting the colony growth of C. gloeosporioides. These findings may provide information regarding chemical and biological control against C. gloeosporioides under in vitro conditions and serve as guide for future field trials.