• The fungi produce mycelium which is superficial and dark. They row on sugary secretions of the plant hoppers. Black encrustation is formed which affect the photosynthetic activity.
• The fungus grows on the leaf surface on the sugary substances secreted by jassids, aphids and scale insects.

Management

• Management should be done for insects and sooty moulds simultaneously.
• Controlling of insect by spraying systemic insecticides like methyl dematon
• After that spray starch solution (1kg Starch/Maida in 5 litres of water. Boiled and dilute to 20 liters)
• Starch dries and forms flake which are removed along with the fungus.