Q. My grafted mango plant — of an unknown variety and around three feet in height — is planted in well-prepared soil enriched with natural fertiliser. It has been affected by dieback disease. Brown spots have appeared on its leaves. Based on my past experiences, such spots spread rapidly and, ultimately, the plant dries up. In North Karachi, many mango plants grow and produce abundant fruit but some plants cannot survive due to dieback disease. Please advise remedial measures, including any spray that can be used. Please also let me know how frequently the plant should be watered.

A. Thank you for sharing information about your mango plant. It is evident that the plant is afflicted with dieback disease, a fungal disease, which you have already deduced. For already infected leaves and branches, pruning is the recommended course of action. Remove the infected branches and cover the newly opened spaces, from where the branches were attached to the stem, with a fungicidal paste. Follow it up with a fortnightly fungicidal spray, for at least two months, on........

© Dawn (Magazines)