RECENT INNOVATIONS IN SEED BORNE DISEASES OF CONIFERS OF TEMPERATE ZONES IN INDIA AND THEIR MANAGEMENT BY ECOFRIENDLY BIOPESTICIDES

摘要

Forest tree seed pathogens have attracted little attention over the years. Tree seed, cones and acorns are invaded by a variety of pathogens, resulting in several diseases and damage problems. Although seed mycoflora plays an important role in the deterioration of seed quality yet it has received little research attention in India. Literature on the subject is meager, and there is a conspicuous need to understand the behavioiur and impact of these pathogens on the tree fruits and seeds and answer some specific questions about their behaviour in forests. For example, what these pathogens are and what types of pathogens are involved in seed diseases? Where, when and under what conditions these pathogens occur and cause disease? How do they enter the host fruits or seeds? How much and what kind of damage they cause? What can we do to prevent or control them, or reduce the damage caused by them? And eventually how can we manage these pathogens to maintain the sustainability of forests with a natural bio-diversity? In addition to developing new technology for detection of pathogens, there is an increased interest in and an understanding of the role of seed borne inoculum in plant disease epiphytology, seed certification, and plant quarantine. Similarly control measures of seed borne pathogens may be part of an integrated disease management program.