A Comprehensive Study On Ornamental Plants for Exploration of the Dynamics of Biotic Stresses

Abstract

Plants produced for aesthetic purposes, whether indoors or outdoors uses, are determined ornamentals, consisting of a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees. They can be grown in the ground, in potting compost, or without any soil at all. However, they are hugely admired and have high demand worldwide, many decorative plants are very important economically for a variety of sectors. Ornamental plants are affected by various diseases in the horticultural industry as a whole that deteriorate the economic and aesthetic value. Phyto-pathogens such nematodes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses can cause diseases like leaf spots, blights, cankers, galls, mosaic etc. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence, and severity of leaf spots, color variegation and leaf mosaics in ornamental plants followed by pathogenicity studies and in-vitro management. The survey for diseases assessment in ornamental plants i.e. conocarpus, crown of thorns, firebush and rose was carried out at 3 distinct locations such as the administrative block, the academic block, and the tissue culture laboratory area at College of Agriculture (COA), University of Sargodha (UOS) Pakistan. As a whole, maximum disease severity (68%) was recorded on conocarpus and minimum was on fire bush (5%) when summarized from all locations on all dates of data recording. A combination of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb, Topsin M, and Copper oxychloride were assessed against fungus at 3 different concentrations (50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm) under laboratory conditions. The fungal colony diameter was reduced to 2.5 mm when treated with the combination of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb, whereas it was largest with Copper oxychloride. The study contributed for development of sustainable management options in ornamental plants and strengthened the knowledge of gardeners, landscapers for human wellbeing.