LAUSR

Citrus (Citrus spp.) is grown worldwide commercially for consumption as fresh fruit and squeezed juice. The crop is most vulnerable to fungal pathogen Phytophthora parasitica that attacks citrus trees of all ages and incites foot rot disease, also known as gummosis causing significant fruit yield losses (Naqvi 2004). The infection occurs by entry of motile zoospores from soil into root cortex, thus decaying fibrous roots, and upon splashing of zoospores on trunk bark near the ground leading to entry in bark cambium through wounds or cracks resulting in exudation of gum from cracks, girdling of bark cambium, eventually killing the tree (Graham and Timmer 1994). Phytophthora infection can be managed by soil drainage, alleviated through application of systemic fungicides, though not always cost-effective and environment friendly (Naqvi 2004). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.