Significant Diseases of Cotton in Thailand and Their Control

Abstract

The paper reports on previous research undertaken on the epidemiology, etiology and loss assessment of a number of diseases in Thai cotton including, leaf roll, bacterial blight, leaf spot, wilt and damping-off. Leaf roll is the most serious disease, causing yield losses up to 63 percent in some cotton varieties. Various control measures for these diseases are also reviewed including the use of chemicals, cultural practices and varietal resistance. Progress in developing integrated control measures as part of an IPC programme is also examined. The paper recommends that current and future research programs should give emphasis to developing new varieties with resistance to leaf roll disease.