SURVIELLANCE OF APPLE CANKER AND IDENTIFICATION OF CANKER PATHOGEN IN APPLE ORCHARDS AT DISTRICT ZIARAT (BALOCISTAN)

Abstract

Apple canker is one of the important diseases of apple orchards across apple growing region of Balochistan. For assessment of the existence, magnitude and extent of canker affected trees in district Ziarat, a surveillance study was conducted in active season during 2016 across district Ziarat. In this study, ten different locations were surveyed where 200 apple trees were randomly examined per location and the number of apple trees affected by canker were recorded. The selected locations were: Chowter, Manna, Kan, Kwas, Pachi, Sanjavi, Tanawani, Waam, Warchoom and Zandra, respectively. Thirty samples of cankered tree were collected for isolation and identification of the canker causing agent (Neonectria ditissima). The study revealed that among ten locations, three locations viz. Sanjavi, Kan and Waam, showed higher canker incidence where both Red delicious and Katja were severely affected by canker pathogen. In case of Sanjavi, both Red delicious and Katja varieties manifested 45% and 40% cankered trees but no canker symptoms were observed on Golden delicious followed by 48% cankered trees of Katja at Warchoom and 42% cankered trees of Red delicious at Waam. While Katja variety at Kan and Waam indicated 34.4% and 34% cankered trees. However, Chowter, Manna and Kwas were at low risk and less number of trees indicated canker symptoms. So, it is suggested that detailed research studies should be conducted to find out the economic losses caused by canker infection and to devise effective control strategies, in order to protect the apple orchards from further damage by canker.