Apple scab hits Shimla belt hard

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 30

Apple scab disease has hit Shimla district, especially the Baghi area, the most, according to a preliminary field survey conducted by scientists of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

The disease, which had vanished for several years, reappeared in select pockets last year. Growers were being apprised about the spray schedule by the scientists. They have surveyed apple belts of Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi and Chamba districts.

In Shimla district, scientists have surveyed 36 apple orchards to find out the intensity of the disease. They have found that the disease has attacked between 6 per cent and 50 per cent orchards whereas it’s most severe in Baghi where it has affected up to 34.4 per cent orchards.

The scab has been observed only in those orchards where the recommended spray schedule was not followed properly. —Dr Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-chancellor, Nauni varsity

The average incidence and severity of apple scab on leaves is 16.56 per cent and 11.93 per cent, whereas on fruits, it is 12.82 per cent and 8.45 per cent.

About 15 per cent of the orchards at Nichar block in lower Kinnaur have shown its occurrence. The average incidence in Kalpa and Pooh was 28.15 per cent.

In Kullu district, the disease has affected less than 3 per cent orchards, particularly those where the recommended spray schedule was not followed.

The average incidence of disease is 2.65 per cent in Mandi district, in areas surveyed like Sanare valley, Balichowki and Thachi Panjain. In Chamba district, 20 per cent to 40 per cent orchards are reported to have apple scab in Bharmour whereas in Pangi, the percentage is 15 to 20.

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-Chancellor, Nauni varsity, said, “From the preliminary survey report, it has been found that the scab has been observed only in those orchards where the recommended spray schedule had not been followed properly.”

MOST SEVERE ATTACK IN BAGHI

In Shimla district, scientists have surveyed 36 apple orchards to find out the intensity of the disease. They have found that the disease has attacked between 6 per cent and 50 per cent orchards whereas it’s most severe in Baghi where it has affected up to 34.4 per cent orchards.