B. B. Chirame
Abstract
Neem is one of the most valuable multi-purpose tree. This tree is very important culturally, medicinally and pesticidally and has gained worldwide recognition for its pharmaceutical and pesticidal properties. The Neem plants in Maharashtra are observed on uncultivated land, forest land, along road side on bunds etc. The plants in Maharashtra are affected by anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sp. since 1997. It causes the death of terminal twigs and infecting plants twice in the year. Now a days, the severe infection of the disease is being observed causing considerable loss to the infected plants. In many plants drying of 50% foliage is observed and death of the few plants is also noticed. In December, 2016 infection of powdery mildew was first observed on leaves of young plants in field of College of Agriculture, Pune. It is not reported earlier. Initially, it appeared as small whitish spots on the upper surface of the leaves. Severe infection showed floury appearance of infected part of leaves. Such leaves showed partial or complete drying of lamina.