Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Apr 22: As the threat of scab looms over Kashmir’s apple orchards, the Department of Horticulture has issued a warning to apple growers to follow a proper spray schedule to avoid the early appearance of scab infection.
The continuous rains have disrupted the spraying schedule and increased the chances of scab infection on the apple trees, which affected nearly 40% of the crop last year. “Because the constant rain may wash away the sprays, allowing scan infection to grow on the leaves and spread to the crop, the department is not taking any chances this time and is urging growers to be vigilant and adhere to the spray schedule issued,” an official at the Horticulture Department said.
According to orchardists, although the scab is not widespread in the orchards, a few traces suggest that growers should be extra cautious. “For the time being, there are traces of scab in some places, but the apple orchards are safe for the time being. We need to be more cautious this time,” Basit Ahmad, an orchardist said.
He continued that it is too early to speculate on the extent of the scab’s spread because the fruit is so small, but “signs of scab on the leaves or fruit at this stage mean it will cause more damage than last year”. “On the other hand, a normal temperature and repeated spraying would play a huge role in containing the disease, “he said.
The growers complained that even though the market checking squads are more active this time, spurious chemicals are nevertheless sold in different parts of the Valley. “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, so more needs to be done,” another grower said.
An official at the Horticulture Department 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 the pink bud stage, spray any of the following 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.
At the petal fall stage, spray anyone with the following fungicides: Difenaconazole 25 EC @ 30ml/100 litres of water; Flusilazole 40 EC @ 20ml/100 litres of water; Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50 uWG @ 40g/100 litres of water.
He informed us that spraying at the bloom stage should be conducted if scab lesions are observed and orchardists have conducted the previous spray over 10 days ago. “A low volume (mist type) sprayer needs to be used for spraying during bloom”, he added.
He urged apple growers to ensure proper drainage to avoid water stagnation in their orchards. “Ensure orchard sanitation by the destruction of weeds and grass. They should not continuously repeat the same fungicide in two sprays, “he also added.
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