THE INFLUENCE OF PLANT AGE ON THE INCIDENCE OFRED RUST (Cephaleuros parasiticus karst.) OF TEA

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on red rust disease of tea in different tea estate of Sylhet region. The survey area included Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) farm at Srimangal in Moulvibazar district, Ghazipore Tea Estate in Kulaura, Marina Tea Estate in Kulaura, Bejoya Tea Estate in Kulaura, Baraoorah Tea Estate in Srimangal, Moulvibazar district, Lackatora Tea Estate in Sylhet, Malnichora Tea Estate in Sylhet, Burjan Tea Estate in Sylhet, Momenchora Tea Estate in Sylhet district and Chundeeche Tea Estate in Habiganj district. The experiment was conducted during April to July 2013. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of age on the incidence and severity of red rust. Variation was observed among different estate on the incidence and severity of red rust caused by the algal pathogen Cephaleuros parasiticus. Comparatively higher disease incidence and severity was observed in mature plants as compared to young plants. Disease incidence in mature plants varied from 74 to 94% with the average disease incidence in mature plants was 86.16%. Where incidence in younger plants varied from 70 to 91%. The average disease incidence in younger plant was 81.13%.The highest amount of Red rust was observed in Lackatoorah tea estate. The variation in disease incidence and severity was not significant in all cases.