Author(s):

Arif Hussain Bhat, Nisar Ahmad Khan, Hilal Ahmad and Mudasir Bhat

Abstract: Pear (Pyrus communis L.) is one of the important pome fruits grown throughout the world. Despite the fact that the agro-climatic conditions of valley are ideally suited for its cultivation the productivity is very low compared to other parts of the world due to many biotic and abiotic factors. The major biotic factors include fungal diseases. Among these diseases canker diseases of pear are now assuming alarming status resulting in huge economic losses (Jones and Aldwinkle, 1990). The present study was therefore, undertaken to study the status and to characterize the pathogens associated with pear canker in Kashmir. A survey was carried out in the months of August and September, 2012 in major pear growing areas of Kashmir valley to record the incidence and intensity of fusicocum canker of pear. Among the different districts surveyed, the orchards in the district Anantnag exhibited the maximum average canker incidence and intensity of 18.96 and 10.10 per cent respectively, followed by orchards of district Kulgam with an average canker incidence and intensity of 14.22 and 8.11 per cent respectively. The orchards in district Baramulla exhibited least incidence and intensity of 10.45 and 5.56 per cent, respectively. Fusicoccum cankers mostly developed on small branches and twigs as small, sunken, reddish brown lesion/area with or without a fissure, which on enlargement became depressed and formed small elliptical cankers, completely girdling the affected branch. Hyphae of the fungi were branched, thick walled, septate, hyaline to light brown, 2.95-3.80 µm in width. The pycnidia were globose to conical with a papillate ostiole. The pycnidial size ranged from 142-190 × 167-240 µm wide, with an average size of 164.32 × 198.75 µm.

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