<b>Fungal decline in pomegranate orchards: evaluating organic amendments as potential solutions</b> raw table

Pomegranate wilt disease, primarily caused by soil-borne fungi, significantly affects the health and productivity of orchards in Himachal Pradesh. These pathogens invade the roots and vascular tissues of pomegranate trees, causing yellowing of the leaves, stunted growth, and progressive decline, leading to tree death. This study identified <i>Ceratocystis fimbrata</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> as pathogens responsible for wilt disease in pomegranate plants. The cultural and morphological analyses revealed consistent traits within isolates of each pathogen, with slight variations potentially reflecting environmental adaptations. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region revealed significant genetic diversity within <i>C. fimbrata</i> and <i>F. oxysporum</i> isolates, indicating distinct lineages and potential pathogenic differences. Pathogenicity tests showed that <i>C. fimbrata</i> induced symptoms in 17 days, whereas <i>F. oxysporum </i>induced symptoms in 21 days. Co-infection accelerates disease progression, suggesting a synergistic effect. In field trials, 5 kg of <i>Cedrus deodara</i> needle mulch reduced fungal colonies by 31.44% and 32.93% for <i>C. fimbrata</i> and <i>F. oxysporum</i>, respectively, after 120 d, whereas Brassica leaf mulch achieved reductions of 30.35% and 32.45%, respectively. Continuous use of these organic amendments in pomegranate orchards lowers the fungal inoculum in the soil over time, providing a sustainable and long-term approach for managing pomegranate wilt disease.