WILT is the loss of rigidity and dropping of plant parts (partially or wholly). It is one of the most common and destructive disease of vegetables and fruits. It also attacks many species of wild plants and trees.
In our country 23 different crops, including cotton, rapeseed, mustard, groundnut, linseed, sunflower, gram, mung, moth, mash, lentil, pea, guar, potato, chilly, tomato, cucurbits (vine crops e.g. melons, cucumber etc.), citrus, fruits, banana and guava. are attacked by wilt. Symptoms similar to wilt disease also occur in wheat, maize, sugarcane, sesame, castor, soybean, pigeon pea, mango and papaya.
Wilt is a common feature in those fields which is infested by this disease once and where crops are sown without rotation. The disease causes immense loss to crops. In most cases the farmers are not aware of the problem.
The symptoms, preventive and curative measures are given here for the guidance of farmers as well as a reminder to research fellows and extension workers, so that they may try to find an easy and economical way to fight the disease. It is also expected to guide the breeders to develop and select wilt