64 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



Cotton and Sesamum wilts. 



A wilt disease of cotton (caused by Fusarium vasin- 

 fectum Atk.) is probably the worst fungal disease of this 

 crop in the United States and has been reported from most 

 other cotton-growing countries. It has been known for 

 some years that a similar disease occurs in the Central 

 Provinces. Sesamum is also attacked by an allied disease, 

 and an attempt was made to isolate the parasites concerned, 

 establish their identity and make as complete a study of 

 the diseases as possible. I found cotton wilt extends over a 

 large area from the Central Provinces to Belgaum, being 

 especially prevalent in the Berars, where it has been care- 

 fully observed by Mr. Clouston. Sesamum wilt extends 

 from Hoshangabad, where Mr. Evans gave me much useful 

 information regarding its distribution and field characters, 

 into parts of Bombay. Fungi of the genus Fusarium were 

 isolated from both crops and have been maintained in pure 

 culture. The first attempts to test their parasitism failed, 

 possibly because the season was already too far advanced, 

 and the work is, consequently, being repeated. 



Anthracnose of Sisal hemp. 



This disease was investigated by Mr. Shaw, who estab- 

 lished the parasitism of the fungus (C olletotrichum Agaves 

 Cav.) previously suspected to be its cause. It was found 

 to infect species of A gave readily and to produce a charac- 

 teristic leaf disease. An account of the work was pub- 

 lished in the Agricultural Journal of India, January 1913. 

 Collecting and burning diseased leaves, and spraying with 

 Bordeaux mixture, are measures which are recommended as 

 likely to prove efficacious in checking the disease. 



Indigo disease. 



The work mentioned in last year's report was continued, 

 but led to no useful results. Neither Mr. Shaw nor myself, 

 working independently, was able to obtain any evidence 

 that the so-called disease is caused by any definite parasite. 

 Some half a dozen species of fungi were isolated from 



