Initially greyish white spots (about 0.5-lcm in diameter) appear at the base of the lower leaves of the maturing plant.
Under favourable conditions of low temperatures (16° -23° C) and high humidity these white patches spread to upper leaves, enlarge and cover the entire surface of the leaf.
Such leaves on curing get scorched and show brown patches rendering them unfit for marketing.
Sometimes leaves with incipient infection result in blemished on curing which reduce the commercial value of leaves.
Avoiding over fertilizing, overcrowding of plants and removal of affected basal leaves will help in minimizing primary infection and spread of the disease.
Early planting to escape cool temperature prevalent at the maturing stage will also reduce the incidence.
Apply sulphur powder (200 mesh) @ 40 kg/ha to soil between plant row 6-8 weeks after planting. Mix ash or sand to sulphur for easy application.
See that sulphur does not fall on tobacco leaves. Recommended for black soils only.
Spray 0.2% Karathane or Thiovit or 0.05% Carbendazim just before the disease sets in Repeat at 10-12 days interval if necessary
Use resistant varieties like Swarna or Line 2359 developed at Central Tobacco Research Institute, in disease endemic area.
