FOREST DISEASE MANAGEMENT

DISEASES OF Ailanthus excelsa:

Plant parasite:
Incidence of plant parasite Helicanthus elastica (Ders.) Dans., which severely affecting the growth and survival of A. excelsa trees (Rajasugunasekar et al., 2007).

Symptoms:
H. elastica belongs to the family Lorantheceaeis a parasitic plant species infesting various crops including cotton. It is light green in colour and has thread like stem twining around the host plant. They are leafy and bear white coloured flowers which occur in cluster. As soon as the parasite gets in touch with the host stem, small structures like haustoria penetrate the host’s tissue and derive nutrients and water from the host. This infestation kills the entire tree and spreads very rapidly to other trees through birds. 

Control Measures:
Mechanical removal or pruning the affected branches can control H. elastica to a great extent. Regular monitoring, timely location of incidence and removal of infested braches of trees from the plantations as soon as it is noticed can prevent spread of this plant parasite. If incidence of this parasite is observed at an early stage i.e. soon after attachment to Ailanthus tree branches, the infested portion of the branches may be cut below the point of attachment of H. elastica to host plant to avoid regeneration of this parasite from the embedded haustoria left in the host plant part.
            Severely infested trees should be uprooted and kept in isolation or even burnt in order to prevent further spread of the plant parasite to other trees. Prevent flowering and fruits in H. elastica and thus seed production.