SESAMUM :: MAJOR DISEASE :: WILT

Wilt - Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. sesami
Symptoms
The disease appears as yellowing, drooping and withering of leaves. The plants gradually wither, show wilting symptoms leading to drying. The infected portions of root and stem show long, dark black streaks of vascular necrosis.

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. sesami -Symptoms

Pathogen
The fungus produces macroconidia, microconidia and chlamydospores. Macroconidia are falcate shape, hyaline and 5-9 celled. Microconidia are hyaline, thin walled, unicellular and ovoid. The dark walled chlamydospores are also produced.
Disease Cycle
The fungus survives in the soil in the infected plant debris. It is also seed-borne and primary infection occurs through infected seeds or through chlamydospores in soil. The secondary infection may be caused by conidia disseminated by rain splash and irrigation water.

Management

• Treat the seeds with Thiram or Carbendazim at 2g/kg
• Seed treatment with Trichoderma virideat 4g/kg.
• Apply heavy doses of green leaf manure or farm yard manure.