Management of Citrus Leaf and Fruit Spot (Pseudcercospora angolensis) Disease Using Fungicides

Abstract

In Tropical Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa production of citrus is seriously hampered by citrus leaf and fruit spot (Pseudocercospora angolensis) disease. The yield reduction due to this disease can reach 50% - 100% when climatic conditions are favorable to the disease development and effective control measures are not implemented timely. Hence, this study was anticipated to evaluate the effect of fungicides for the management of citrus leaf and fruit spot disease. As the result of this, the efficacy of different fungicides namely; Carbonchlor 50% SC only, Benline 50% WP only, Bellis 38% WG only, Carbonchlor 50% SC combined with Bellis 38% WG, Benline 50% WP combined with Carbonchlor 50% SC and Benline 50% WP combined with Matco 72% WP against Pseudocercospra angolensis were tested under field conditions. The present field experiment result showed that, there was no infected fruit observed in all treated trees as compared to the control plot that revealed (33.12%) fruit infection. Whereas, in leaves minimum infection rate (1.16%) was recorded from trees treated with Bellis 38% WG followed by Carbonchlor 50% SC (1.48%), Carbonchlor 50% SC combined with Bellis 38% WG (1.89%), Benline 50% WP combined with Carbonchlor 50% SC (4.00%), Benline 50% WP (4.54%) and Matco 72% WP combined with Benline 50%WP (6.24%). However, maximum infection rate (17.57%) was recorded from leaves of unsprayed check. Therefore, from the results of the present investigation, application of Carbonchlor 50% SC was the first choice to be used followed by Carbonchlor 50% SC + Benline 50% WP, Bellis 38% WG + Carbonchlor 50% SC, Bellis 38% WG only, Benline 50% WP only and Matco 72% WP + Benline 50% WP for the management of citrus leaf and fruit spot disease.