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Abstract

Bacterial blight of Eucalyptus caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. eucalypti is a calamitous biotic stress to the ecologically imperative species of Eucalyptus. Its prevalence came to light after a survey of Shorkot, Chichawatni, and Changa Manga plantations in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The survey confirmed the highest disease incidence in Shorkot, while the lowest disease incidence was observed at the Changa Manga irrigated forest plantation, followed by Chichawatni. Predictive model based on two years of environmental and disease incidence data was developed, which explained 92% variability. Nine chemicals were tested under in vivo and in vitro conditions using the inhibition zone technique (CRD). Out of these nine chemicals, maximum inhibition zones were exhibited by Copper hydroxide (16.17 mm) and Copper oxychloride (14.19mm), followed by Azoxystrobin, Forum Top, Cabrio Top, Copper sulfate, Kasugamycin, Folio gold, Nativo. Then, the two most effective chemicals under lab experiment were selected in combination and alone for greenhouse and field evaluation. In greenhouse conditions under CRD, Cu (OH)2+Cu2(OH)3Cl indicated minimum disease incidence (14.085%), followed by Copper oxychloride and Copper hydroxide to eradicate the disease. In the field under RCBD, the combination of Cu(OH)2+Cu2(OH)3Cl expressed minimum disease incidence (18.400%) followed by Copper oxychloride (21.381%) and Copper hydroxide (24.993%) alone as compared to control. The current revelation concluded that copper-based chemotherapy is a fruitful tool for the integrated management of the disease.

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