> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://badixth-dc85e378.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pink Disease in Rubber

> Erythricium salmonicolor on the branch fork or upper trunk: how the pink cottony growth girdles branches and how to prune, treat, and prevent.

**Pink disease** (*Erythricium salmonicolor*, syn. *Corticium salmonicolor*) attacks the branch forks and upper trunk of rubber. It forms a distinctive pink-salmon cottony growth on the bark, girdles the branch, and causes canopy dieback above the infection point. Most common in wet upland and highland blocks, and on younger stands where branch bark is still tender.

## Cause

* **High humidity** and prolonged wet weather (> 200 mm/month)
* **Dense canopy** with poor airflow
* **Young smooth bark** on branches (year 3 to 10 stands)
* **Susceptible clones** vary by region
* **Wounds** at branch forks (e.g. from wind damage)

## Effect

| Stage    | Symptom                                                                |
| -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Early    | White cobweb-like mycelium on the underside of a branch or at the fork |
| Mid      | Pink-salmon cottony growth becomes visible on the branch               |
| Late     | Bark cracks, branch girdles, canopy above the infection dies back      |
| Terminal | Branch dies, may progress to whole-tree canopy loss on severe cases    |

## Satellite signals

| Index | What to watch                                 | Threshold                   |
| ----- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| NDVI  | Scattered small canopy gaps in mid-age stands | Direct high-res observation |

Satellite rarely resolves individual pink-disease events. Ground scouting is the main detection method.

## Action

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm at the branch fork">
    Pink or salmon cottony growth on the branch or at the fork confirms pink disease. Common target: branch forks 2 to 4 m above the ground on year 3 to 10 trees.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prune and burn">
    Cut the infected branch 30 cm below the visible infection. Burn removed material on site (do not compost or leave in the block).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply wound protectant">
    Paint the cut end and the surrounding bark with **Bordeaux paste** or **copper oxychloride paste**. Repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Systemic fungicide on early cases">
    On early cases where the branch is still worth saving, spray or paint with **tridemorph** or **carbendazim** every 10 days for 4 rounds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Improve canopy airflow">
    On chronic blocks, discuss selective pruning or thinning with plantation manager to improve airflow and reduce humidity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Recommended alert settings

| Trigger              | Condition                                    | Severity                                 |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Scout report         | Any pink-cottony growth on branch or fork    | High                                     |
| Cluster              | > 3 trees in a block within 1 month          | Critical (block-wide prophylactic spray) |
| Wet-weather advisory | > 200 mm/month sustained on year 3-10 blocks | Medium                                   |

## Related

* [Black stripe](/guides/Crop/Rubber/biotic/diseases/black-stripe)
* [Field Walk Protocol](/guides/Crop/Rubber/field-walk-protocol)
* [Rubber Diagnosis](/guides/Crop/Rubber/rubber-diagnosis)