S. Kumar

Studies on Alternaria Leaf Spot of Broccoli S. Kumar

Broccoli is gaining importance in India due to its nutritional value including flavour, taste, carotenoids and anticancerous properties. Although this Brassicaceous vegetable has almost made its place in the Indian vegetable market and the broccoli of purple green heading type, is a new gift to Indians. It is a good source of healthy building substances, especially vitamins; proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals Vegetables are so common in human diet that a meal without a vegetable is supposed to be incomplete in any part of the world. According to dietician, for a balance diet, an adult needs about 280g of vegetables per day, of this about 85g should comprise root vegetables, 110g leaf vegetables and 85g other kind of vegetables. Of various factors responsible for its low productivity, diseases are the major ones and among the fungal diseases of broccoli, the Alternaria leaf spot is one of the main causes for the low productivity of Broccoli in the country.