Blister Blight (Exobasidium vexans) - A Threatened Problem in Tea Industry

Abstract

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages and is produced from the tender leaves of the tea plant. Various biotic and abiotic factors are directly related to tea productivity. Among the biotic factors the most destructive one is the blister blight disease of tea caused by an obligate parasitic fungus Exobasidium vexans. The pathogen attacks the tender leaves of the tea plant which directly interferes with the economic growth of the tea growing countries as tea has tremendous export value. Application of protectant and eradicant fungicides have shown promising results for controlling blister blight.