Major diseases of cashew (Anacardium Occidentale L.) Caused by fungi and their control in Odisha, India

Abstract

Cashew is an important cash crop in India but the incidence of diseases incur considerable losses in cashew plantations leading to reduction both in terms of quality and quantity. The present investigation was to study the fungi associated with cashew plant in Odisha in view of the warm and humid climate. Isolation, identification, pathogenicity test and nutritional study of the test fungi as well as the control was undertaken in vitro. The result of the study revealed that seven species of fungi namely Pestalotiopsis palmarum, Phyllosticta sp., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Chaetomium brassiliense were responsible for various diseases. Pestalotiopsis palmarum and Phyllosticta sp.