Factors affecting development of Phomopsis fruit rot of brinjal

Effect of temperature, relative humidity, fruit age, inoculum age, inoculum load and repeated sub-cultured inoculum was ascertained on the development of Phomopsis fruit rot of brinjal (Solanum me/ongena) incited by Phomopsis vexans. The temperature of 25°C, RH~90%, fruits of younger age (5-10 day old), higher inoculum load (>120 spores/ml) and inoculum of younger age (14-day old) were found conducive for the development and progress of Phomopsis fruit rot. Repeated sub-culturing of inoculum resulted in loss of aggressiveness of the pathogen.