Write short notes on the following plant diseases. (a) blackpod of cocoa; (b) leaf blight of cassava.
(a) Blackpod of cocoa is a fungal disease that affects the pods of cocoa trees. It is caused by several species of fungi, including Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora megakarya. The disease starts as small black spots on the pods, which then enlarge and turn into a soft, mushy rot. The infected pods eventually fall from the tree, reducing the yield of cocoa beans. Blackpod of cocoa is a serious problem in cocoa-growing regions, and control measures include the use of fungicides, proper pruning of the trees, and the removal of infected pods from the plantation.
(b) Leaf blight of cassava is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of cassava plants. It is caused by the fungus Cercospora sp. The disease starts as small brown or yellow spots on the leaves, which then enlarge and merge, causing the leaves to turn brown and dry up. Severe infections can cause defoliation, reducing the yield of cassava tubers. Leaf blight of cassava is a major problem in areas where cassava is a staple food crop, and control measures include the use of fungicides, crop rotation, and the planting of resistant varieties of cassava.
(a) Blackpod of cocoa is a fungal disease that affects the pods of cocoa trees. It is caused by several species of fungi, including Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora megakarya. The disease starts as small black spots on the pods, which then enlarge and turn into a soft, mushy rot. The infected pods eventually fall from the tree, reducing the yield of cocoa beans. Blackpod of cocoa is a serious problem in cocoa-growing regions, and control measures include the use of fungicides, proper pruning of the trees, and the removal of infected pods from the plantation.
(b) Leaf blight of cassava is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of cassava plants. It is caused by the fungus Cercospora sp. The disease starts as small brown or yellow spots on the leaves, which then enlarge and merge, causing the leaves to turn brown and dry up. Severe infections can cause defoliation, reducing the yield of cassava tubers. Leaf blight of cassava is a major problem in areas where cassava is a staple food crop, and control measures include the use of fungicides, crop rotation, and the planting of resistant varieties of cassava.