Introduction to

Disease
Management in
Protected
Cultivation of
Flower
Protecting Crops
valuable -
flower crops like lilium from
diseases is crucial for successful protected
cultivation. This presentation will explore
Lilium
effective strategies for identifying, preventing,
and managing common diseases that can impact
lilium grown under greenhouse or other
controlled conditions.
Common Diseases Affecting
Lilium Cultivation

Botrytis Blight Viral Diseases Fusarium Wilt Powdery Mildew

A devastating fungal Viruses like Lily A soil-borne fungal A fungal disease
disease that causes Mottle Virus and disease that causes that leaves a
gray, fuzzy mold on Lily Symptomless wilting, yellowing, white, powdery
leaves, stems, and Virus can stunt and eventual plant coating on leaves
flowers. It thrives in growth, distort collapse. It spreads and stems. It
cool, damp flowers, and quickly through thrives in dry,
conditions. reduce overall infected bulbs. warm conditions.
plant vigor.
Botrytis blight
Symptoms:
• The symptoms appear as circular or oval and yellowish
to reddish brown spots on the leaves. In some spots,
central part is light grey in colour while the outer
region is dark purple, shading into green healthy tissue.
Flower buds may be shrivelled, distorted, disfigured or
may be killed depending on the severity of the
attack.Senescing tissues are most susceptible to this
disease.
Pathogen:Condiophores arise in clusters,
brown to dark brown, long, septate,
slender, repeatedly branched and thick
walled. Conidia are ovoid to oblong and
disc-shaped

Epidemiology :
Prolonged periods of free moisture
favour infection. The fungus thrives in high humidity.
Optimum temperature for reproduction and infection by
most species is between 10 to 24°C and relative humidity
close to 100 per cent for at least 24 h is necessary for the
occurrence of the disease.
Management:
Use of disease free stock and resistant plant material such as Lilium
gigantium, L. pyrenaicum, L. regale and L. willmottiae are
recommended for healthy flower production.

Spraying with Zineb @ 0.2% or Mancozeb @ 0.2% has been found to

be useful in controlling the disease.
Fusarium wilt:

Symptoms

Wilting: The most noticeable symptom is wilting of the leaves,

especially during the hottest part of the day.
Yellowing: Leaves may turn yellow, starting from the lower part of
the plant and moving upward.
Stunted Growth: Affected plants often exhibit stunted growth and
poor development.
Root Rot: Infected plants typically have brown or black roots that
may be mushy or decayed.
Bulb Rot: The bulbs of affected lilies may become soft, discolored,
and rot.
Pathogen:

Microconidia: Small, single-celled spores that are

abundant and aid in rapid spread.
Macroconidia: Larger, multi-celled spores with a
characteristic canoe shape, primarily responsible for
long-distance dissemination.
Chlamydospores: Thick-walled, durable spores that can
survive in the soil for many years, even in the absence of
a host plant
Mode of spread:
Plant Debris: Infected plant debris left in the field or garden
can harbor the fungus and facilitate its spread.
Water
Irrigation Water: Contaminated irrigation water can spread
the pathogen. Overhead irrigation can splash infested soil
onto plants, while surface irrigation can move the pathogen
through water runoff
Management:

Use resistance varieties such as

Casa Blanca
Stargazer
Le Rêve
Asiatic Hybrids
Spraying thiophanate-methyl, propiconazole, or
azoxystrobin.
Powdery mildew:

Symptoms

White or grayish powdery spots on leaves, stems, and

flowers.
Distorted or stunted growth.
Yellowing of leaves, which may eventually die and drop off.
 Pathogen:

The fungus produces asexual spores called

conidia, which are responsible for the white,
powdery appearance on the plant surfaces.

Mode of spread and survival:

Primary spread – airborne
Secondary spread-airborne conidia
Environmental Factors
Influencing Disease
Occurrence
The protected environment of a greenhouse can
greatly impact the prevalence and spread of diseases in
lilium cultivation.
Factors like temperature, humidity, air circulation,
and light levels play a crucial role in creating conditions
that may favor or suppress pathogen growth.

Maintaining optimal greenhouse conditions is

essential for minimizing disease outbreaks and ensuring
the healthy development of lilium plants.
Closely monitoring environmental parameters and
making timely adjustments is a key component of
effective disease management.
Identification and Diagnosis of Lilium Diseases

Visual Inspection Laboratory Testing Reference Materials

Carefully examine the leaves, If visual inspection is Consult comprehensive disease
stems, and flowers of lilies for inconclusive, collect guides, online resources, and
any discoloration, spots, samples and submit them work with extension experts to
lesions, or abnormal growths to a plant pathology lab for accurately diagnose and
that may indicate the presence detailed analysis and differentiate between common
of a disease. disease identification lilium diseases based on their
through techniques like unique symptoms and signs.
PCR or ELISA.
 Integrated Pest Management
Strategies for Lilium
Cultural Controls 1
Optimize growing conditions, such as
temperature, humidity, and air
circulation, to create an environment 2 Biological Controls
less favorable for disease-causing Introduce natural enemies,
pathogens to thrive in Lilium crops. like predatory mites or
beneficial bacteria, that can
target and suppress harmful
Resistant Varieties 3 pests and diseases affecting
Select Lilium cultivars that exhibit Lilium plants.
genetic resistance or tolerance to
common diseases, reducing the
need for chemical interventions.
Chemical and Biological Control
Methods
Fungicides Bactericides
Selective application of fungicides can Antibacterial sprays can control bacterial
effectively manage fungal diseases in Lilium infections like bacterial soft rot. Copper-
crops. Systemic and contact fungicides target based compounds are commonly used as
different stages of the disease lifecycle. preventative and curative bactericides.

Biocontrol Agents Integrated Approach

Beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma Combining chemical and biological control
and Bacillus species can be used as methods in an integrated pest management
biopesticides to suppress plant pathogens strategy provides more sustainable and
and stimulate the plant's natural defenses. effective disease control for Lilium crops.
Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in
Lilium Greenhouses

1 Frequent Disinfection 2 Proper Waste Disposal

Regularly disinfect all tools, equipment, Promptly remove and dispose of any
and surfaces in the greenhouse using diseased or damaged plant material to
approved sanitizers to prevent the spread avoid cross-contamination and the
of pathogens. harboring of pests.

3 Personal Hygiene 4 Pest Management

Require workers to wash hands, wear Implement an integrated pest
clean clothing, and use dedicated management program to control insect
footwear when entering the greenhouse to vectors that can spread plant diseases
minimize the introduction of pathogens. throughout the greenhouse.
Monitoring and Record-keeping for
Disease Management
Ongoing Surveillance
Regularly inspect your Lilium crop for early signs of disease, such as discoloration,
lesions, or unusual growth patterns. This vigilant monitoring is key to prompt
intervention.

Environmental Tracking
Monitor and record greenhouse temperature, humidity, and ventilation levels, as
these environmental factors can significantly impact disease development.

Detailed Documentation
Maintain thorough records of any disease outbreaks, including symptoms, affected
plants, and treatment measures taken. This data will inform future prevention
strategies.
Conclusion and
Best Practices for
Sustainable Lilium
Production
Effective disease management is crucial for sustainable and profitable Lilium
cultivation. Integrating preventive measures, monitoring, and targeted control
methods ensures healthy plants and high-quality blooms. Implementing
industry best practices leads to long-term success and environmental
stewardship.
Preventive Measures for Disease Control

Greenhouse Sanitation Monitoring and Crop Rotation

Inspection
Regularly disinfect surfaces, Implement a strategic crop
tools, and equipment to Closely inspect plants for early rotation plan to break disease
eliminate potential disease signs of disease and address cycles and minimize the
vectors. Maintain high issues promptly. Regularly buildup of soil-borne
standards of cleanliness in the scout for pests and pathogens pathogens between growing
greenhouse environment. to catch problems before they seasons.
spread.