Soil as a possible source for the severe fruit rot of guava (Psidium Guajava l.) due to Phytophthora Nicotianae var. parasitica (Dastur) Wat. at Kurukshetra (India).

Severe fruit rot of guava due to Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica (syn. P. parasitica Dastur sensu stricto) was observed during the months of July and August in 1976 at Kurukshetra (India). The pathogen was successfully isolated from the soil below the infected fruit trees using ripe guava fruits as baits as well as by using a selective medium at regular intervals for a period of one year. Presence of the pathogen in the soil below the guava trees and its isolation from the soil for a period of one year, i. e. the next fruiting season of guava trees indicated that perhaps the soil is the main source of infection.