Nauni varsity resumes awareness drive on foliage diseases in apple
To contain foliage disease in apple, a three-day awareness drive on alternaria leaf spot and marssonina leaf blotch resumed in five districts of the state on Tuesday.
Eight teams of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, in collaboration with the Horticulture Department, conducted field-level programmes at several locations in Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts.
Earlier, between February 10 and 13, the university teams had covered 54 locations in these districts, benefiting more than 2,500 farmers of several villages. The second phase of the drive, which kick-started on Tuesday, would further intensify its outreach efforts in identified apple-growing areas highly prone to these foliar diseases.
In recent years, alternaria and marssonina leaf blotch have emerged as a serious threat to apple cultivation, leading to premature leaf fall, reduced fruit size and significant losses in yield and quality. Humid orchard conditions in the state further favour the recurrence of these diseases. Without timely scientific management, the pathogens tend to persist season after season, adversely affecting orchard health and farm incomes.
The teams visited apple fields and conducted interactive sessions with farmers, besides on-site demonstrations to help growers identify early symptoms and adopt scientifically-recommended management practices. Special emphasis was laid on breaking the disease cycle and discouraging indiscriminate and ineffective use of chemical sprays.
Teams visited Barthata, Batargalu, Lower Koti, Munchara, Bumta, Matal, Khaddar, Nankhari and Nagadhar villages in Shimla district. They also visited various places in Kinnaur district like Kamaroo and Themgarang, while in Chamba district, the experts visited places like Salooni and Daand, Doggar (Banjar) in Kullu and Seri Karsog in Mandi district.
Horticulture Department officials also accompanied the teams in their respective areas. The aim of the awareness campaign is to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of disease identification, preventive measures and scientific management practices to ensure sustainable apple production and improved livelihoods for orchardists in the state, said an official of the university.
