The bacterial black spot disease of mango (Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae) is a major disease in Ghana. Most mango farmers are selling their farms to real estate developers due to this disease. The disease incidence is 100%. Farmers sort to copper-based fungicides, GAPs, pruning as the main control strategies.
How is the disease managed in your country?
Thank you.
Several copper spray formulations are registered in the NT and recommended for the control of mango
bacterial black spot. For example, a 500 g/kg formulation of copper oxychloride is applied at the rate of 250
g/100 L (or 4 kg/ha) or a 400 g/L formulation of copper oxide is applied at the rate of 300-400 mL/100 L.
Either formulation is applied every four weeks from flowering to fruit-set. Both have a withholding period of
one day.
Other copper formulations may be suitable and can be used if they are registered. Refer to the label.
Chemical control should be used in conjunction with the following management practices which will help to
keep the pathogen away, prevent its dispersal or minimise the initiation of infection:
• Use disease-free planting stock.
• Prune to remove infected branches (sources of inoculum) and to improve aeration within the tree.
• Practise hygiene such as sterilisation of pruning and harvesting implements.
• Provide windbreaks to minimise wind damage (creation of infection sites) and the spread of the
bacterium by wind.
• Use resistant cultivars where possible.