FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL DISEASES ON CARNATION IN COLOMBIA

Among the fungal diseases, one of the pathogens with great importance is Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi. The vascular wilt pathogen Phialophora cinerescens is also found but with a very narrow distribution.

Stem rot caused by Fusarium roseum is found in greenhouses with poor management and mainly after harvesting. Other soil pathogens as Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium sp. and Phytophthora sp. have been ocasionally recognized.

Among diseases that affect the foliage, the most important pathogen is Heterosporium echinulatum particulary in miniature carnation and in some mediterranean standard varieties. Carnation rust caused by Uromyces caryophyllinus causes important losses in some areas at the Bogota plateau, specially during the rainy season.

Leaf spot caused by Alternaria dianthi has a very little importance and it is present at cutting rooting period. Peronospora dianthicola is also found with very low incidence.

Flower rooting produced by Botrytis cinerea has been reported with a mild incidence particulary during rainy season on some varieties. The importance of this pathogen on carnation is minor compared to its importance on other ornamental crops, such as statice and chrysanthemum.

Among bacterial diseases only the leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas woodsii has been recorded with a very low incidence.