EFFECT OF SHADE ON THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF RED RUST DISEASE IN TEA

Abstract

A survey was conducted on red rust of tea in ten tea gardens of Sylhet region including Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) farm at Srimangal in Moulvibazar district during April to July 2013. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of shading on the incidence and severity of red rust. Wide variation was observed among different gardens on the incidence and severity of red rust caused by the algal pathogen Cephaleuros parasiticus karst. Comparatively higher disease incidence and severity was observed in unshaded condition than shaded condition. Disease incidence was 69% and 75% in shaded and unshaded condition respectively. The variation in disease incidence and severity was not significant in all cases. Among the various gardens the highest (77%) disease incidence was observed in Chundeeche tea estate and the lowest (63%) in Baraoora tea estate under shaded condition. In without shaded condition the highest (84%) disease incidence was observed in BTRI farm while the lowest (68%) in Baraoora tea estate.