Pathogens causing wilt diseases in patchouli plant ( Pogostemon cablin Benth.): A review on symptoms, bioecology, and management

Abstract

Patchouli is the source of an essential oil known as patchouli oil and it has a pivotal contribution to the increase of national income in Indonesia. However, this plant is vulnerable to wilt disease caused by fungi, bacteria and nematodes, contributing to the losses in quality and quantity of patchouli production. This review is aimed at providing information about these destructive pathogens and their effective controls. It is explained that fungus Fusarium solani, bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, and nematodes Pratylenchus spp. (P. brachyurus and P. coffeae), Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne spp. (M. incognita and M. hapla) have contributed to the loss of patchouli production by different symptoms appeared. F. solani attacks the plant roots, triggering root rot, necrotic and wilt, resulting in the plant's death. R. solanacearum has colonized the stems and nematodes creating a color alteration in leaves, stunted growth, root rot and wilt during midday. These pathogenic organisms can be controlled by applying preventive measures, biocontrol agents and biopesticides.