A survey was carried out in 180 locations covering in northern West Bengal and North East India, from August to November, during 1990-2011,on pink disease of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) caused by Corticium salmonicolor (Berk. & Br.). The incidence of pink disease on rubber was higher in northern West Bengal than Meghalaya and Assam. Maximum incidence of pink disease was observed on four to six-year-old rubber plants at Rango (7.5%) followed by Jiti rubber estate (3.0%) in northern West Bengal. The disease was noticed on the main trunk of five-year-old rubber plants at Rango and Jiti rubber estates during September, 2001 for the first time in northern West Bengal and caused a total loss of the affected trees. Weather factors like monthly rainfall (mm), number of rainy days, maximum temperature (oC) and relative humidity (%) from July to September during 1996-2011 are also reported. The monthly rainfall above 500 mm and more than 17 continues rainy days were the major predisposing factors influencing the development of pink disease.
Climatic factors, North East India, North West Bengal, Pink disease