Bacterial blight: Splitting of fruit on necrotic spot
Pathogen: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae
Symptoms
Splitting of fruit at necrotic spot and white shiny encrustation of bacterial ooze on infected fruit.
Disease development
Infected fruit and twigs are potential sources of primary inoculum. The secondary spread of bacterium is mainly through rain and spray splashes, irrigation water, pruning tools, humans, and insect vectors. Entry is through wounds and natural openings. The first water-soaked lesions develop within 2–3 days and appear as dark red spots. Disease buildup is rapid from July to September. Severity increases during June and July and reaches a maximum in September and October and then declines.
Control
Select disease free planting material. Spray Bordeaux mixture (1.0%). Spray with Streptocycline (0.025%) in combination with Copper oxychloride (0.25%) or Carbendazim (0.15%) at 15 days interval for 5-6 times starting from leaf initiation stage. If possible, cut ends should be pasted with Bordeaux (10%) paste.