Diplodia stem end rot: Diplodia natalensis

Symptoms:

• Epicarp darkens around the base -  pedicel.
• Circular, black patch which under humid atmosphere.
• Soft rot –aid of pectinolytic & cellulolytic enzymes.
• More portions of fruit turns black and soften.
• Lose ascorbic acid & non- reducing sugars rapidly

Mode of spread and survival:

• The fungus persists in infected plant parts which serve as source of inoculum

Epidemiology:

• RH – 80%, max.& min.temp. of 31.5 and 25.90C.