Pink disease

Pink disease is caused by the fungus Erythricium salmonicolor (formerly Corticium salmonicolor). It is a serious fungal disorder affecting the bark and woody tissues of numerous trees, particularly those grown in humid tropical and subtropical environments. The pathogen specifically targets the vascular integrity of the plant, often leading to canopy dieback.

The host range of this fungus is extensive, causing significant economic losses in various perennial plantations. Major crops affected include Citrus varieties, Arabica and Robusta coffee, Indian mango, and cacao. The disease can impact young saplings as well as mature trees, potentially causing total plant death if left untreated.

Symptoms typically begin with the appearance of a delicate, cobweb-like mycelial mat on the surface of branches. As the pathogen develops, the fungal growth turns a characteristic pinkish color. Beneath this layer, the bark cracks, dies, and eventually peels away, exposing the underlying wood to secondary infections and desiccation.

Development and dispersal are heavily dependent on climatic conditions, specifically high humidity (above 90%) and frequent rainfall. Spores are primarily disseminated by water splash and wind during the wet season. Orchards with poor ventilation, dense planting, and improper canopy management are significantly more susceptible to rapid disease spread.

Management strategies require a combination of sanitation and chemical interventions. Severely affected branches should be pruned back to healthy wood and destroyed by burning to reduce inoculum load. Copper-based fungicides are the standard chemical control, applied as paints on cankered areas or as protective sprays on foliage before the onset of rainy weather.

• Pruning and removal of infected branches.
• Application of copper-based fungicides.
• Maintaining proper orchard spacing for airflow.
• Sanitizing pruning tools to prevent cross-contamination.