Abstract

Rattan resorces of the Kerala State are depleting at a very fast rate. Diseases appear to be one among the various factors affecting the regeneration, growth and survival of the rattan species. A systematic disease survey in natural cane growing areas of Kerala conducted during 1987-90 revealed that Calamus thwaitesii, C. hookerianus, C. travancoricus, C. gamblei, C. pseudotenuis, C. vattayila, C. rotang and C. dransfieldii are susceptible to numerous fungal pathogens at various growth phases. In nurseries, seedlings are affected with diseases caused by Guignardia calami, Corynespora cassicola, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. crassipes, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp. and Bipolaris ellisii. Of these seedling blight caused by Guignardia calami and seedling stem infection by Fusarium spp. are the important diseases. Two to seven-month-old container grown and bare-root seedlings are affected causing considerable damage to the planting stock. In