Biochemical Factors Conducive for the Development of Citrus Canker and its Management using Selected Chemicals and Plant Extracts

Abstract

Citrus belonging to Rutaceae family is one of the most common fruit crops in Pakistan. Citrus canker disease caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri is one of the important diseases that causes huge losses to citrus production. The current study was carried out to mitigate this disease by exploitation of four chemicals and plant extracts in-vitro at three different concentrations and in greenhouse with most efficient concentration. The laboratory and greenhouse experiments were performed through inhibition zone technique and foliar spray method, respectively. Four chemicals including streptomycin sulphate, copper oxychloride, kasugamycin and oxytetracycline with different concentrations of 1%, 2% and 3% were evaluated. Under in-vitro environment, streptomycin (2.7 cm) at 3% concentration after 72 hours’ time interval exhibited the most significant results among all chemicals. Similarly, four plant extracts i.e. Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Keekar (Acacia nilotica), Kortuma (Citrullus colocynthis), and Akk (Colotropis gigantia) were evaluated at 25%, 35% and 45% concentrations. Most significant results (1.9 cm) were shown by Moringa extract at 45% concentration after 72 hours’ time interval. Most effective Phytoextract (Moringa oleifera) and chemical (Streptomycin) observed in-vitro were selected for further evaluation in greenhouse which resulted in the reduction of disease incidence by 23% after 45 days’ time interval. Current findings would provide the valuable insights for researchers and the farming community which would prove helpful in the improved management of this particular disease.