Symptomatology and survey of lentil wilt in Uttar Pradesh

Status of wilt of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in five district viz., Banda, Sitapur, Ayodhya, Kapur and Gonda of Uttar Pradesh carried out of survey of the lentil growing areas in villages of Banda, Sitapur, Ayodhya, Kapur and Gonda districts during 2019-20 in Rabi season. In all surveyed fields none of them free from this disease. Incidence of wilt in the surveyed field ranged from 9.07 to 16.92 per cent. The maximum wilt occurrence was observed in district Kanpur i.e., 18.95% and 14.27% at flowering and podding stage respectively followed by Gonda (16.24%; 13.58%), Sitapur (15.82%; 13.69%), Banda (11.57%; 11.00%) and Ayodhya (11.50%; 10.86%). Among villages, maximum incidence was observed in Chauve Pur i. e. 38.16% and 17.13% at flowering and podding stage respectively. The first symptoms of wilt occurred as an isolated patch more or less circular. Curling of the leaves beings from the lower end and extend upwards. The crown then drops and this is followed by the death of the plant. The root system is poorly developed and discoloured brown.