DISEASES OF BIRD OF PARADISE (STRELITIZIA REGINAE BANKS) IN EGYPT ROOT AND FLOWER ROTS

Isolation trials were carried out on rotted roots, buds and flowers as well as necrotic spots on flower stalks and seeds yielded 13 fungi on PDA. Fusarium spp. were the most frequent showing 70.9, 38.2, 67.2 and 45.1 percent of occurrence, repectively. F.oxysporum, F.solani and Alternaria spp. were isolated from all plant organs and seeds, while Bo­tryodipiodia spp., Nigrospora spp., Pythium sp. and Rhizoctonia solani from roots and Botrytis cinerea from rooted buds and flowers. Pestalotra sp. was also isolated from infected roots and seeds. Pathogenicity tests proved that Pythrum sp., R.solanr. F .so1anr, F. scripi, F.oxysporum, F.serratectum and F.monilrforme were pathogenic to plant roots and the first four fungi were the most virulent. On the other hand, B. cinerea was the most destructive fungus on flower buds fol­lowed by F.oxysporum and F.solani. With the exception of F.moniliforme, the fungi isolated from roots and seeds, in addition to Alternaria spp. isolated from flower buds and the resulting diseases were reported for the first time in Egypt. Control studies indicated that Rizolex T and Topsin M at the rate of 2g/L water as root dip for one hour and soil drench before and one month after transplanting in infested soil, respectively, gave sufficient control against root-rots. Disease seventy on plant roots and foliages was significantly decreased than the control. On the other hand, Topsin M (ig& water) followed by Ridomil plus (2.5 g/L water) were effective against bud and flower rots in the field when they were used four times at 14-day intervals.