Abstract

Mango malformation is a serious disease causing severe economic losses every year. The aim of the present study was to assess the current disease position and devise an integrated strategy to control this malady in commercial orchards. The assessment of malformation was done at forty locations in eight mango growing districts of Pakistan. Malformation showed 100% prevalence in the surveyed orchards. Jhang was the most affected district with 60.13% severity while Khanewal was least affected with 13.80% severity. All the common mango cultivars were found more or less disposed to the disease. Effect of clipping of malformed branches at 15, 30 and 45 cm distance, respectively behind the panicles alone or combined with benomyl 50 WP spray at 2.0 gm L^-1 water in the respective treatments was evaluated. The treatment with clipping at 45 cm distance followed by spray of benomyl showed the best results giving 70.37% decrease over previous years count. The results of the present studies will be helpful to minimize the losses inflicted by mango malformation disease globally.

Key words: Mangifera indica, malformation, Fusarium mangiferae, assessment, clipping