Assessment of Grape Anthracnose Severity in Northern Karnataka, India

Abstract

Anthracnose commonly known as “Bird’s Eye Spot,” is a major fungal disease of grape primarily affecting young leaves, shoots, tendrils and berries, causing leaf fall, stunted growth, reduced yield and significant yield and economic losses. An intensive roving survey was conducted during Kharif 2024 and rabi season of 2024-25 across Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Koppal and Bagalkot districts to assess disease severity. Anthracnose of grapes was prevalent in all surveyed districts of Northern Karnataka, with higher severity during back pruning (April) than fore pruning (October). The taluk wise severity ranged from 47.83 (Kukanoor) to 72.75 (Raichur) per cent in back pruning and 6.50 (Mudhol) to 23.16 (Aland) per cent in fore pruning. The district wise mean severity was highest in Raichur during back pruning (72.75%) and lowest in Kalaburagi (58.70%), whereas, in fore pruning highest severity was recorded in Raichur (22.15%) and lowest in Bagalkot (7.63%). While at the village level, the highest village level severity (80.25%) was observed in Rugi of Vijayapura district during back pruning, whereas the lowest severity (45.25%) was recorded in Talakal village of Koppal district. During the fore pruning season, the maximum severity (25.75%) was recorded in Kerur village of Kalaburagi district, while the minimum severity (4.50%) was observed in Mudhol Rural of Bagalkot district.  Variation in disease severity was influenced by climatic factors, pruning stage, training systems and vine susceptibility.