Lecture 13 - Diseases of Crucifers (2 Lectures)

Beet root
Leaf Spot: Cercospora beticola
Symptoms

This is a commonly occurring disease on foliage of beet roots. High humidity usually
favours the spread of this disease. Numerous small circular spots appear on the leaf surface. The
spots increase in size, becoming brownish or purplish in color. Individual spots are usually
circular but several may coalesce into larger areas of dead tissue. The spots dry up giving a shot-
hole appearance to the leaves. In case of severe infection spots cover the entire leaf surface
resulting in pre-mature death and dropping of the leaves. As leaves die, the crown becomes
cone-shaped with a rosette of dead leaves at the base. Defoliation occurs throughout the growing
season resulting in reduction in root size and yield. Older leaves are mostly affected.
Pathogen
Conidia are borne singly at the tip of conidiophores. They are hyaline, elongate, filiform
and multiseptate. Perfect stage is not known.
Mode of spread and survival
The pathogen is carried with the seed. The chief overwintering inoculum is in infected
plant debris, in which mycelium remain viable. The fungus can overwinter in debris from
diseased plants, in weed hosts and in beet seeds. The fungus can survive 12 – 18 months. The
conidia are disseminated chiefly by air. Insects, splashing water, cultivation tools, workers and
irrigation water also spread of the disease. Moist weather is essential for sporulation.
Management
Removal and destruction of affected plants and practicing crop rotation are beneficial in
controlling the disease. Spraying with Copper oxychloride (0.3 %) thrice at an interval of 15
days controls the disease effectively.
Downy Mildew: Perenospora schachtti
Symptoms

The disease is mostly prevalent during the cooler months. Symptoms appear as irregular
greasy greyish areas on the leaves. Under moist conditions, these areas expand rapidly and a
white powdery growth appears on the lower surface of the affected leaves. Affected leaf dries
and shrivels quickly. Flower shoots on infected plants become stunted and distorted. The entire
inflorescence has a compact appearance and excessive leaf development may give an appearance
witches broom. The fungus survives on the crop residues in the soil and is also carried by the
seed.
Pathogen
Peronospora produces sporangia abundantly on the cotyledons and is splashed from there
to other plants. The sporangia germinate by means of a germ tube and not by zoospores.
Management
Preventive measures such as good field sanitation, crop rotation and use of resistant
cultivars is recommended. Seed treatment with Thiram (2.5-3 g/kg of seed) protects the
emerging seedlings from the disease attack. Spraying with Dithane Z-78 (0.3 %) thrice at an
interval of 15 days is also recommended as an effective control measure.
Curly-top virus
Symptoms
 External symptoms of curly top virus infection may appear in leaves, stems, flowers, fruits,
or roots of infected plants. Generally, mottling is absent, but infected plant parts may become
distorted through curling, twisting, rolling, stunting, etc.
Leaves become thickened and leathery. Curly top virus may impair both yield and quality of
the root of an infected plant. Some of the most pronounced symptoms resulting from curly top
virus attacks are internal and non-observable with the unaided eye. Such internal symptoms
consist of death of the food conducting vessels, as well as of extreme variations from the normal
in numbers and sizes of cells composing the plant tissues.
Pathogen
Beet curly top virus particals are 18 – 22 nm in dia. The thermal death point of the virus
is 80˚C and longevity in vitro is 8 days.
Mode of spread and survival
The beet leaf hopper is the vector of BCTV. The first generation leafhoppers migrate out
of the range lands to sugar beet fields, carrying the virus with them. Leafhoppers produce several
generations each year, which migrate through susceptible crops spreading the virus. As the crops
mature and dry, the leafhoppers move back into the over wintering areas in search of the winter
host.
Leafhoppers acquire BCTV by feeding on infected host, either the winter host or crop
plants. Leafhoppers are able to acquire the virus during very short feeding times. The leafhopper
retains the ability to transmit BCTV for a month or more after acquisition. The vector may
maintain the virus during its over-wintering period.
Management
Losses can be reduced by the use of resistant varieties; Adopting sanitary measures
including the eradication of susceptible weeds and susceptible volunteer crop plants from a
previous planting; Regulating the time of planting in order to avoid the main flights of the beet
leafhopper; Use of barriers of trap crops and early removal and destruction of infected plants.
Spraying malathion (2ml/litre of water) controls the population of beet leaf hoppers.
Beet Yellows: Virus
Symptoms

This disease is transmitted mainly through aphids. The important symptoms of the
disease include yellow spots on the young leaves in the initial stages of infection. As the disease
progresses, the leaves exhibit irregular yellow patches alternating with normal green colour of
the leaves. The older leaves of infected plants become chlorotic, noticeably thickened, leathery
and brittle. The foliage becomes abnormally red or yellow and often dies.
Pathogen
Beet yellow virus (BYV) and beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) both can occur alone or
together to result in yellows. Beet mild yellowing virus make the plants more susceptible to
fungal attack (Powdery mildew).
Mode of spread and survival
The viruses are spread to healthy plants by aphids. Beet yellow virus persists in aphids
for few hours, but once infected with beet mild yellowing virus and aphids remains infective for
most of its life cycle. The main field vector is Myzus persicae but other aphids may spread the
viruses, eg. The black bean aphid (Aphid fabae) can also spread BYV but not BMYV.
Management
Control measures include removal of infected plants and weeds from the field. The
disease incidence can be minimized by controlling the population of aphids by spraying
oxydemeton Methyl 25 EC (2ml/litre of water)
Purple Leaf of Beet virus
Symptoms
This viral disease is caused by a strain of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The infected
plants are stunted and leaves have a tendency to stand erect and come closer, unlike the healthy
plants where the leaves are broad, long and profuse. Leaves of infected plants show an unusual
intense purple colour, white the young emerging leaves show it prominently. Few leaves develop
minute necrotic lesions all over the lamina.
Mode of spread
The virus is readily transmissible through sap.
Management
Removal and destruction of virus-infected plants and weed hosts helps in minimizing
disease
Radish
Alternaria Blight :Alternaria raphani
Symptoms

The pathogen affects leaves, stem, pods and seeds. Symptoms of the disease first appear
on the leaves of seed stem in the form of small, yellowish, slightly raised lesions. Lesions appear
later on the stems and seed pods. Infection spreads rapidly during rainy weather, and the entire
pod may be so infected that the style end becomes black and shriveled. The fungus penetrates in pod

tissues, ultimately infecting the seeds. The infected seed fails to germinate.
Pathogen
A. raphani conidia are 70 – 115 x 14 – 18 micron in size.
Mode of spread and survival
It is seed borne. The fungi subsistas mycelium in the infected plant refuse. They also
survive in susceptible weeds or perennial crops. The conidia are borne abundantly in moist
atmosphere and are disseminated readily by air currents.
Management
Spraying with Mancozeb 0.25 %
White Rust: Albugo candida
Symptoms

Disease attacks the leaves and flowering shoots. Affected flowering shoots get deformed and
bear only malformed flowers. White powdery substance in patches is observed on the under
surface of the leaves.
Pathogen

Here, Pathogen is an obligate parasite; Mycelium is intercellular producing knob shaped

Cauliflower
Downy Mildew: Peronospora parasitica
Symptoms
Downy mildew can cause much of a field of milk white cauliflower curds to develop superficial
discolored spots that renders the disease damage heads unmarketable.
Pathogen
Conidiophores are erect, dichotomously branched; conidia are broadly oval, ellipsoidal
and hyaline.
Mode of Spread and Survival
The fungus penetrates in the soil through oospores in hosts. Secondary spread of the
disease is through water and wind borne conidia.
Management
Seed treatment with Metalaxyl (Apron 6g/kg). Foliar spray with Metalaxyl (Ridomil) @ 0.4
%
Wire stem: Rhizoctonia solani
Symptoms:

Wire stem can be a seed problem where cauliflower or other cruciferous transplants are
grown crowded together in unsterilized soil or seedling beds. This disease makes the seedlings
unsuitable for transplanting since many of the affected plants will die or grow poorly.
Pathogen
The fungus shows branching at right angles near the distal septum in young hyphae.
Sclerotia are irregular, brown to black and 5mm in dia. The fungus produces both terminal and
intercalary, barrel shaped chlamydospores. In the perfect stage basidia are produced on the host.
They are barrel shaped, clavate and have four sterigmata. Basidiophores are hyaline and
ellipsoid.
Management
Sterilized soil and seedbed drenches with Copper oxychloride 0.25% will give good disease control

Cabbage
Black leg: Phoma lingam
Symptoms

It is caused by Phoma lingam and occurs in most regions, specially in areas with rainfall
during the growing period. The fungus is carried by the seed and hence it may occur from the
early stage. Stem of the affected plant when split vertically, shows severe black discoloration of
sap stream. Whole root system decays from bottom upwards. Frequently, the affected plants fall
over in the field.
Pathogen
Pycnidia are flask shaped, dark coloured and sometimes with papillate ostiole.
Ascocaeps are globose, & Ascospores are biseptate, ellipsoidal.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Phoma lingam can survive for up to four years in seed and three years in infected crop
debris. The pathogen infects seedlings, forms pycnidia, and produces abundant amounts of
spores which exude from the pycnidia in long coils and are splashed to nearby plants to initiate
new infections. The disease is favored by wet, rainy weather.
Management
Seed infection can be prevented by spraying the seed plants with copper oxychloride or
with an organo mercuric compound. Seed treatment with Captan or Thiram 4g/kg of seed,
followed by seed treatment with Trichoderma viride 4g/kg. Pusa Drumhead, a cabbage cultivar
has been reported to be tolerant under field condition.
Downy mildew: Peronospora parasitica
Symptoms

It may attack young plants and also at the seed production stage as being commonly
observed in northern India in recent years, when high humidity prevails during seed production
stage. The fungus when attacks the young seedlings, discoloration occurs and in severe cases the
whole plant perishes. Purplish leaf spots or yellow brown spots on the upper surface of the leaf
appear, while fluffy downy fungus growth is found on the lower surface.
Pathogen
It is an obligate parasite. It has large, finger shaped or clavate and branched haustoria.
Conidiophores are erect and dichotomously branched. Sterigmata are long, slender and pointed.
A single conidium is borne at the tip of each branch. Conidia are brodly oval, ellipsoidal and
hyaline. Oogonium is spherical and hyaline. Oospores are globose and yellow in color.
Mode of Spread and Survival
The fungus attacks broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish and turnip. The fungus
perennates in the soil through oospores in roots or in old diseased plant parts and as contaminant
with seeds. It also persists in perennial hosts. Secondary spread of the disease is through water
and wind borne conidia.

Management
Seed treatment with Metalaxyl (Apron 6g/kg of seed ). Foliar spraying with Metalaxyl
(Ridomil) 0.4%.
Root rot: Rhizoctonia solani
Symptoms
Young plants show soft, water soaked lesion on the stem near soil level, the cotyledons
wither and the plant eventually falls over and perishes. When infection occurs at a later stage of
growth, the lower part shows discoloration over a length of several centimeters, becomes hard
and woody, and thinner than usual as the cortical tissue dies and this phenomenon is known as
wire stem.
Pathogen
The fungus shows branching at right angles near the distal septum in young hyphae.
Sclerotia are irregular, brown to black and 5mm in dia. The fungus produces both terminal and
intercalary, barrel shaped chlamydospores. In the perfect stage basidia are produced on the host.
They are barrel shaped, clavate and have four sterigmata. Basidiophores are hyaline and
ellipsoid.
Management
Nursery beds: Soil drenching with Methyl bromide @ 1 kg/10 m 2 and covered with
polythene sheet. Seed treatment with Captan/Thiram 4g/kg, followed by seed treatment with
Trichoderma viride 4g/kg.
Black spot: Alternaria sp.
Symptoms

In older plants, leaves, petioles, and stems small, brown to black circular to slightly elongated
spots appear. Sometimes the spots join together. It causes damage to cabbage heads and
cauliflower curds after maturity and during seed production stage.
Pathogen
The fungal hyphae are branched, septate, inter and intracellular. Conidiophores arise
singly or in groups of 2 to 12. They are simple, erect, cylindrical, slightly swollen at base,
septate, pale, smooth and 90 x 5 to 8 mm. Conidia are formed in chains of 20 or more. They
are cylindrical, muriform, tapering slightly towards the apex and the basal cell is rounded.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Pathogens are seed borne or the conidia are borne abundantly in moist atmosphere and
are disseminated readily by air currents.
Management
First foliar spraying with Tridemorph 0.1% followed by spraying with Mancozeb 0.25% a
month interval.
Club root: Plasmodiophora brassicae
Symptoms

Stunting and yellowing of plants. Leaves become yellowish and wilt on hot days. Club
like swelling of root and root lets. Club root is particularly prevalent on soils with a pH below 7,
whereas it has been observed that the disease is often less serious on heavy soils and on soils
containing little organic matter.
Pathogen
Primary zoospores are anteriorly by flagellate which is of whiplash type. Secondary
zoospores are smaller than primary zoospores.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Fungus is soil borne and survival in the crop refuses in the form of minute resting spores
for at least 10 years. Contaminated soil can be caused by wheel of implements, carts, tools and
on the feet of human being.
Disease Cycle
P. brassicae is capable of surviving in the soil for 7-10 years or longer as resting spores.
The resting spores of the fungus can be spread from field to field by infested soil, contaminated
water supplies, infected transplants, infested soil on farm machinery, and even by roving animals
such as cattle. When soil conditions dictate, the resting spores of the pathogen germinate to
produce zoospores, which are able to "swim" by means of flagella to infect susceptible plant root
hairs. The germination of resting spores requires moist, acid soil and can occur over a wide
temperature range of 12-27°C. Disease development is favored by high soil moisture and soil
temperatures between 18-25°C. Although clubroot has been found in soils exhibiting a wide pH
range from 4.5-8.1, the disease is primarily associated with acid soils. Within the infected plant
roots, the organism develops rapidly, causing an increase in the number and size of cells, which
results in "clubbing." During the development of the organism in the plant, new zoospores are
produced; these are capable of infecting the same plant or adjacent plants and, thus, repeating the
cycle. Eventually, resting spores are formed within the diseased plant tissue, and these are
released into the soil when the plant roots disintegrate.

Management
Soil fumigation with Methly bromide 1kg/10m 2 followed by covering with plastic film.
Seed treatment with Captan/Thiram 4g/kg, followed by T.viride 4g/kg. Application of lime 2.5
t/ha. Soil drenching with Copper oxychloride 0.25%.
Powdery mildew: Erysiphe polygoni
Symptoms

Initially, white tufts of mould arise on the upper surface of the leaves and later run
together and the entire leaf becomes covered with greyish white mycelium.
Pathogen
Conidiophores are septate. The cleistothecia are sharp and globose.
Mode of Spread and Survival
The disease spread through water and wind borne conidia.
Management
Spary inorganic sulphur 0.25% or Dinocap 0.05%.
Bacterial diseases
Black rot: Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
Symptoms
 The infection of the foliage results in yellow ‘V’ shaped spots arising along the margin
which extend in the direction of the midrib. These spots are associated with a typical black
discoloration of the veins. The infection extends through the xylem to the stalk and the vascular
bundles turn black. In severe infection, the whole leaf shows discoloration and eventually falls
off.
Pathogen
It is gram negative, short rod with rounded ends and non capsulated. It occurs singly,
rarely in pairs and motile with single polar flagellum.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Black rot is spread rapidly during warm, humid weather, with an optimal temperature range of
27- 30°C at 80- 100% humidity. Once in the soil, the bacteria are spread by splashing rain and
wind. Bacteria enter plants through wounds or natural openings at the leaf margins called
hydathodes
Management
Seed treatment with Aureomycin 1000ppm for 30 min is effective in killing both the
internally and externally seed-borne pathogen. Drenching the nursery soil with formaldehyde
0.5% helps in checking the disease. Application of bleaching powder at 10.0 to 12.5 kg/ha
controls the disease.
Turnip
Alternaria Leaf Spot: Alternaria spp.
Symptoms

The pathogen affects leaves, stem, pods and seeds. Symptoms of the disease first appear
on the leaves of seed stem in the form of small, yellowish, slightly raised lesions. Lesions appear
later on the stems and seed pods. Infection spreads rapidly during rainy weather, and the entire
pod may be so infected that the styler end becomes black and shrivelled. The fungus penetrates
in pod tissues, ultimately infecting the seeds. The infected seed fails to germinate.
Pathogen
The fungal hyphae are branched, septate, inter and intracellular. Conidiophores arise
singly or in groups of 2 to 12. They are simple, erect, cylindrical, slightly swollen at base,
septate, pale, smooth and 90 x 5 to 8 mm. Conidia are formed in chains of 20 or more. They
are cylindrical, muriform, tapering slightly towards the apex and the basal cell is rounded.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Pathogens are seed borne or the conidia are borne abundantly in moist atmosphere and
are disseminated readily by air currents.
Management
Spraying with Mancozeb 0.25 %
Carrot
Bacterial blight: Xanthomonas campestris pv.carotae
Symptoms

The bacterium causes irregular brown spot on leaves, dark brown streaks on petioles and
a blighting of floral parts. Lesions on foliage begin as small yellow spots. Soon the centre of the
spots they become dry and brittle with an irregular halo.
Pathogen
The bacterium is rod shaped and polar flagellum.
Mode of Spread and Survival
The bacterium is borne in and on seed from diseased seed plants. They also live in soil.
Rain or irrigation water splashes bacteria from cotyledons or soil to young seedlings. Insects also
carry the bacterium mechanically. Under rainy warm conditions, epidermis occur rapidly.
Disease Cycle
The carrot leaf blight pathogens survive on or in the seed and on diseased crop debris in
the soil. The fungal pathogens produce spores that become airborne and are spread
predominantly by wind. The bacterial pathogen is spread primarily by wind-driven rain or by
irrigation water. Moisture is essential for infection by all blight organisms because bacterial cells
and fungal spores require surface moisture and warm temperatures to germinate. The higher the
temperature, the shorter the wet period required for infection. When temperatures are warm or
when moisture in the form of rain, dew, or irrigation water is persistent, the threat of infection
and rapid spread of leaf blight organisms is high.
Management
Spraying early with Copper oxychloride 0.25 %.
Bacterial soft rot: Erwinia carotovora sp. Carotovora
Symptoms

Cells become water soaked, the middle lamella is destroyed and the cells collapse into a soft,
watery slimy mass.The rotted tissues are grey to brown. they may be accomplished by a foul
odour. The decay develops most rapidly along the core of the root.
Pathogen
It is large, gram negative and motile with large peritrichous flagella.
Mode of Spread and Survival
Soil is the principal source of primary inoculum for stored carrots. Soil that contains
debris from plants that were diseased the previous year is the most important inoculum source.
The pathogen lives and multiplies within the soil. If soft rot occurs on carrot roots in fields, the
inoculum source can be traced back to carrot foliage from which it moves directly down to the
roots. Harvest bruises, freezing injury, fungus invasion and insect wounds offer penetration sites.
Management
Dipping in a solution of 1:500 of sodium hypochlorite before storage or transits reduce the
disease.
Cercospora leaf spot: Cercospora carotae
Symptom

The first symptom usually appears as elongated lesions along the edge of the leaf segment.
Non-marginal lesions appear as small, pin-point chlorotic spots which shows develop into a
necrotic center surrounded by a diffuse chlorotic border. Coalescence of spots is common. linear
dark lesions develop o n the petiole, sometimes girdling the latter and killing the leaf.
Pathogen
Conidiophores are interminate in growth and show scars where conidia attached. The
conidia are slightly obclavate, hyaline and many celled.
Mode of Spread and Survival
The fungus subsists on seed and diseased crop residues. Stromatic masses in diseased
tissues are the main source of survival from season to season. They produce conidia which are
transmitted by wind or water.
Management
Seed treatment with Captan 4g/kg. Spraying at 10 days interval with Copper oxychloride
or Mancozeb.
Sclerotinia Rot or White mold: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Symptom:
 Mycelia growth and sclerotia (red arrow)
Carrots may show little or no damage incidence in the field but following washing and
storage white mold outbreaks often occur on the stored roots. Only a small percentage of the
roots may be initially infected but the fungus mycelium can move very rapidly from carrot to
carrot. In a matter of weeks the whole storage container may become a mass of white mold and
black sclerotia surrounding each and every carrot.

Management
Frequent inspection in storage, low temperatures, aeration and washing in a final water of
2-5 % diluted bleach solution may give adequate control (1 part bleach, (sodium hypochlorite) to
20 parts water.
Asparagus
Crown Rot & Seedling Blight: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi
Symptoms

Crown rot coupled with winter injury can reduce newly seeded and established asparagus
plantings by up to 50% or more in a year. Infected seedlings will exhibit stunting, yellowing and
wilting of the foliage as the primary roots are rotted off. Established plants will produce spindly
spears in the spring. Shoots become dwarfed, wilted and brown in color. Later in the season one
or more shoots per crown appear stunted, turn yellow, then can wilt and die. Roots are also rotted
and discolored.
Management
The disease is seed- and soil-borne. New plantings should be established on soil (well-
drained, sand-loam soils are preferred) where asparagus has not been previously grown for at
least five years. Use strong healthy plants (1 year crowns) to start a plantation and to ensure good
plant health by following good planting and growing procedures such as fertilization, insect and
weed control and avoid over harvesting.
Purple Spot: Stemphyllium vesicarium
Symptoms

This disease can render the spears unmarketable by the presence of numerous purplish
lesions or spots. The lesions are superficial, slightly sunken and purple. There can also be larger
spots that are brown in the middle with a purple margin. Often these lesions will be more
prevalent on one side of the spear that the other. On the asparagus fern there will be light brown
lesions, up to 15mm long, with dark purple edges. In severe cases, defoliation and dieback can
happen. Repeated defoliation can lead to a reduction in yield.
Management
Remove or bury crop residue in the fall to help limit infection.
Rust: Puccinia asparagi
Symptoms
 Red or brown elongated spots appear on the shoots spears or needles of asparagus.
Successive years if infestation reduces root vitality resulting in poor shoot development and
death.
Management
Plant in areas with good air circulation and irrigate during the day so plants can dry out
before evening.