Surveillance of Bacterial Canker of Peach in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and its Bio-Management

Bacterial canker of peach caused by Pseudomonas syringae is an increasing problem in Azad Jammu Kashmir with more than 50 pathovars on the basis of host. A detailed survey was conducted in peach growing areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the determination of disease prevalence and incidence. Pathogen was isolated and characterized from the collected samples using LOPAT and GaTTA scheme. Furthermore the results of biochemical identification was confirmed using PCR followed by sequencing of obtained expected bands. For the bio-management of virulent pathogenic strains indigenous rhizobacterial isolates were obtained, characterized and evaluated using dual culture as well as in a greenhouse pot experiment against P. syringae pathovars. During a positive sampling method used for the surveillance it was found that maximum disease prevalence was 75% in district Bagh while there was 25% disease prevalence found in Haveli and Sudhanoti. Similarly maximum disease incidence was found in district Bagh that was 16%. A total of 32 isolates were recovered from the collected samples that were further screened on the basis of their virulence. It was found that the total of 18 isolates screened were similar to the already reported strains of P. syringae pv. syringae (Pss) on the basis of biochemical and molecular tools. From total 17 rhizobacterial isolates recovered were subjected to dual culture technique and was found that 06 isolates showed promising zone of inhibition upto 11.5 mm. The results of greenhouse evaluation revealed that the minimum disease incidence was recorded 3% using R-9 and R-17 in consortium against Pss as compared to the control treatment (39%). It was concluded that the ecofriendly management practices against this destructive disease must be adopted and appreciated