Plant Pathology Science

Neofusicoccum mangiferae is the causal agent of branch wilt, blossom blight, canker and dieback on a variety of fruit trees such as almond, hazelnut, apricot, peach, citrus, grape and apple. Cracking and peeling of thin outer layer of bark and exposing black sooty mass of spores is a characteristic feature of disease. Pathogen causes gradual declining and sometimes complete death of trees. The fungus infects the hosts through wounds, created by pruning, frost damage, drought stress, or bark cracks caused by sunburn and develops under hot and sunny weather in summer. Good sanitation, fertilization of trees, adequate irrigation, appropriate pest control, preventing wounds, and avoiding unnecessary pruning are the methods for disease management.