Prevalence of Stem Black Canker of Apple in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Coniothecium chomatosporum causes stem black canker is among the most important apple canker diseases, causing widespread losses in apple production. Occurrences of stem black canker were observed in the Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh, at elevations ranging from 1000 to 2500 meter above mean sea level (a.m.s.l.) during the regular canker development season, from May to December in 2017 and 2018. The incidence of stem black canker was maximum (38.32%) at Nihri followed by Janjheli (30.93%) of Mandi district, whereas disease was totally absent in some places namely, Narkanda, Rohru and Sarahan. Percent disease index of stem black canker was maximum in Nohradhar (14.22%) followed by Karsog (13.23%) in Mandi district, while minimum percent disease index (0.00%) was at Narkanda and Rohru. The mean overall percent disease index of stem black canker ranged from 0.00 to 14.22 per cent during 2017 and 2018 crop seasons.