📈 Diseases of Mango — Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew, Malformation

Mango (Mangifera indica) is the most important fruit crop of India and is susceptible to several diseases that cause significant yield losses. The three major diseases affecting mango production are anthracnose, powdery mildew, and malformation.

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Anthracnose

Causal Organism: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc.

Symptoms

• Dark brown to black irregular spots appear on leaves, twigs, flowers, and fruits
• Blossom blight causes drying and shedding of flowers, reducing fruit set
• On fruits, sunken dark spots develop that enlarge during ripening
• Severe infections cause "tear stain" streaks on mature fruits

Disease Cycle

The fungus survives on dead twigs, mummified fruits, and leaf litter. Conidia are spread by rain splash and wind. High humidity (above 80%) and temperatures of 25-30 degrees C favour infection.

Management

• Prune dead wood and remove fallen debris to reduce inoculum
• Spray Carbendazim (0.1%) or Mancozeb (0.25%) at flowering and fruit-set stages
• Hot water treatment of fruits at 52 degrees C for 5 minutes controls post-harvest anthracnose

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Powdery Mildew

Causal Organism: Oidium mangiferae Berthet

Symptoms

• White, powdery fungal growth appears on inflorescences, young leaves, and fruit surfaces
• Affected flowers shed prematurely, leading to poor fruit set
• Young fruits covered with the powdery mass fail to develop and drop early

Favourable Conditions

Cool nights (10-15 degrees C) followed by warm days (25-30 degrees C) with low humidity promote the disease. It is most severe during the flowering season (January-March).

Management

• Dust wettable sulphur (0.2%) or spray Tridemorph (0.1%) at the onset of symptoms
• Two to three sprays at 15-day intervals during flowering provide effective control
• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation that promotes succulent growth

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Mango Malformation

Causal Organism: Fusarium mangiferae (previously F. moniliforme var. subglutinans)

Symptoms

Type	Description
Vegetative malformation	Compact bunchy growth of leaves ("witches' broom") on seedlings
Floral malformation	Panicles become compact, thick, and bear sterile flowers; no fruit is set

Management

• Deblossoming — remove and destroy affected panicles along with 15-20 cm of the bearing shoot
• Spray NAA (200 ppm) in October to delay and synchronise flowering
• Use disease-free planting material from certified nurseries

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Summary Cheat Sheet

Disease	Causal Organism	Hallmark Symptom	Core Management
Anthracnose	Colletotrichum gloeosporioides	Sunken dark fruit spots and blossom blight	Sanitation + Carbendazim/Mancozeb sprays
Powdery mildew	Oidium mangiferae	White powdery growth on inflorescences	Sulphur/Tridemorph at flowering
Malformation	Fusarium mangiferae	Compact sterile malformed panicles	Deblossoming + NAA + healthy planting material

References

2 sources • [1] [2]

[1]

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Official

[2]

CABI Crop Protection Compendium

Website