Physic nut diseases

• Published in: Phytopathology Vol. 98; no. 6; p. S164
• Main Authors: Visarathanonth, N, Manoch, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-06-2008
• Subjects: Cercospora; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; Jatropha; Jatropha curcas; Macrophoma; Oidium; Pestalotiopsis; Schizophyllum commune
• ISSN: 0031-949X

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is a field crop which extracted oil from seeds are directly used as biodiesel for agricultural farm engines. Area of planting is increasing in Southeast Asian countries. Disease surveys of Physic nut or Jatropha were conducted from different locations of Provinces in Thailand and were mostly due to many fungal pathogens. Leaf spots are mainly caused by Cercospora sp., while, the other minor observed are Pestalotiopsis sp. and Macrophoma sp. Anthracnose disease is observed on both Jatropha fruits and leaves is due to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Powdery mildew disease caused by Oidium sp. is newly observed on leaves, petioles, shoots and different stages of fruit growth, resulting russetting fruit peels. It might reduce both quantity and quality of oil extracted from thus infected Jatropha seeds. Die-back disease caused by Schizophyllum commune is another disease entering through wounds of cutting practices. Many suspected symptoms and unidentified specimens are being more observed. Jatropha diseases are needed to report for further control measures for oil yields increasing that may concern on diesel oil substitute in the near future.