In which fruit crop, is fruit borer a major problem?

✅Explanation:
Pomegranate Fruit Borer: This is a major pest of pomegranate, causing significant economic losses. The larvae of the fruit borer, Deudorix isocrates, bore into the developing fruits, feeding on the seeds and pulp. This leads to premature fruit drop, rotting, and reduced yield.

🛑 Additional Information:::
1. Bacterial Blight
Cause: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae.

• Symptoms:
Water-soaked spots on leaves, fruits, and stems.
Spots enlarge, become dark brown, and cause fruit cracking.
Leads to premature leaf drop and reduced fruit quality.

• Management:
Use disease-free planting material.
Sprays with copper-based bactericides (e.g., copper oxychloride) mixed with antibiotics like streptocycline.
Proper orchard sanitation and removal of infected parts.
2. Fruit Rot (Alternaria Rot)
Cause: Alternaria alternata or Aspergillus niger.

• Symptoms:
Black or brown spots on fruit that later develop into rotting areas.
Affected fruits emit a foul odor.

• Management:
Avoid fruit injuries during harvest and handling.
Use pre- and post-harvest fungicides like carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl.

3. Leaf Spot
Cause: Cercospora punicae.

• Symptoms:
Circular or irregular brown spots on leaves with yellow halos.
Severe infections cause leaf drop.

• Management:
Application of fungicides like mancozeb or chlorothalonil.
Regular removal of infected leaves.
4. Powdery Mildew
Cause: Oidium sp.

• Symptoms:
White powdery patches on leaves, stems, and young fruits.
Leads to reduced photosynthesis and fruit deformities.

• Management:
Sprays with sulfur-based fungicides or systemic fungicides like difenoconazole.
5. Wilt Disease
Cause: Soil-borne fungi like Fusarium oxysporum.

• Symptoms:
Yellowing and wilting of leaves, progressing to plant death.
Browning of vascular tissues in roots and stems.

• Management:
Soil solarization before planting.
Drenching soil with fungicides like carbendazim or bio-control agents like Trichoderma.
6. Anthracnose
Cause: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

• Symptoms:
Dark sunken spots on fruits, which expand and coalesce.
Affects fruit quality and marketability.

• Management:
Pruning of infected parts and use of fungicides like propiconazole.