Leaf spot in tissue culture banana caused by Pyricularia angulata: identification and control strategies
摘要
During May to August 2022, a foliar disease was observed on tissue culture banana varieties Nendran and Rasthali in Maraikkal, Thrissur district, Kerala. The symptoms included dark brown to black circular lesions, about 3–4 mm in diameter, which gradually expanded to show distinctive concentric rings on the leaves. The pathogen was initially identified as Pyricularia species based on its cultural and morphological characteristics. Further confirmation was obtained through ITS-rDNA sequencing, with BLASTn analysis showing 99–100% similarity to Pyricularia angulata. The pathogenicity of the isolates was verified by fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Management trials conducted under net house conditions showed that spraying Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG at 0.14% concentration was the most effective treatment against the disease.