Status, Distribution and Symptomatology of Stemphylium Blight of Garlic in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Systematic surveys in garlic growing areas of HP viz., Bilaspur, Chamba, Una, Solan, Sirmour, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Hamirpur districts were conducted during cropping season 2013-15 to assess the prevalence and distribution of Stemphylium blight of garlic under field conditions. The incidence of Stemphylium blight was found in almost all the districts surveyed. The average disease severity ranged between 31.2-70.0 per cent, maximum being at Kullu district (70.0%) and minimum at Shimla district (31.2%). The disease initially appears as a small spindle shaped white lesions on leaves, which later become sunken with a purple colour surrounded by a yellowish margin.