The tree is subject to shrouding by a parasitic vine . Powdery mildew causes defoliation and fruit-drop, but it can be adequately controlled. Lesser diseases are sooty mould, brown rot and leaf-spot. Leafspot results from infestation by "Cercospora" spp. and "Isariopsis indica" var. "zizyphi". In 1973, a witches'-broom disease caused by a mycoplasma-like organism was found in jujube plants near Poona University. It proved to be transmitted by grafting or budding diseased scions onto healthy "Z. mauritiana" seedlings. Leaf rust, caused by "Phakopsora zizyphivulgaris", ranges from mild to severe on all commercial cultivars in the Punjab.