Early appearance of scab worries Apple growers in Kashmir
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, May 8: Scab infection, which affected almost 40 percent of apple production last year, has developed on the leaves of apple trees across the Valley, leaving growers apprehensive of another bleak year.
The continuous rains during the flowering season severely disturbed the spraying schedule and gave scab a chance to grow on the leaves of apple trees. The arrival of the scab infection has troubled the orchardists, as the disease has affected around 40% of the crop last year.
The experts said the Valley has received more rains during the flowering season this year, and the temperature has likewise remained below normal. As a result, the pollination got delayed and that caused the death of pollens. “Such weather condition during this stage can lead to scab infection as spraying schedule is not followed,” a Horticulture expert said.
The orchardist across the Valley said that scab has appeared on the leaves despite multiple sprays. “We have sprayed two-fungicides till now but the infection is still there. Earlier, we used to spray only one dose of fungicide in this stage,” Khalid Bashir, an orchardist from Shopian said
He said it is premature to comment on the extent of damage the scab would cause as leaves are smaller but signs of scab on the leaves at this stage mean it will cause more damage than last year. “However, a normal temperature and repeated spraying would play a huge role in containing the disease,” he said.
The growers complained even though the market checking squads are more active this time, spurious chemicals are nevertheless sold in different parts. “The main reason for the widespread scab last year was spurious chemicals and that has prompted officials to remain active this year. But some people are still selling the substandard chemicals and more need to be done,” another grower said.
Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad told Excelsior that they have issued an advisory for Apple growers and asked them to spray fungicides to avoid scab lesions and other diseases in the crop.
He said in areas where the apple orchards are at Pink bud stage, spray any of the fungicides which include Zineb 68% + Hexaconazole 4rWP @ 100gm/100 Litres of water; Dodine 65 WP @ 60g/100 Litres of water; Dodine 40SC @ 90ml/100 Litres of water; Fluxapyroxad 250g/1) +Pyraclostrobin (250g/1) 500 SC @ 20ml/100 litres of water.
He also said that areas where the Apple orchards are at Bloom/Petal fall stage, spray anyone the following fungicides that include Difenaconazole 25 EC @ 30ml/100 litres of water; Flusilazole 40EC@20ml/100 litres of water and Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50uWG@40g/100 litre of water.
He informed spray at bloom stage be conducted if scab lesions are observed and orchardists have conducted the previous spray over 10 days ago. “Low volume (Mist type) sprayer needs to be used for spraying during bloom,” he added.
He said In case of heavy rains (within 12 hours of spray) the spray is to be repeated immediately. “Stickers (Sandovit@ 50-75ml/100 litre of fungicide suspension) maybe added except with Dodine, for better efficacy of fungicides,” he said.
He urged apple growers to ensure proper drainage to avoid water stagnation in the orchards. “Ensure orchard sanitation by the destruction of weeds/grasses. They should not repeat continuously the same fungicide in two sprays,” he added.
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