Early apple scab leaves growers worried in Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie and Farhat Ahmed

Srinagar: An early scab infection in apple orchards in Kashmir has left fruit growers a worried lot today.

Farooq Ahmad Wani from Shangas Rayakhpora told Ziraat Times that his orchard has developed signs of early scab and he was worried that he had no clue how to deal with it.

“I am worried because there is no expert advice available to me on how to deal with this problem. I have followed the spray schedule in my farm but this problem looks unmanageable”, Khazir Mohamed Waniohmad Wani, a resident near Masjid Shareef Rayakhpora.

The appearance of scab infection on leaves and fruits has subdued hopes of a bumper apple crop in Kashmir this year where fruit industry has suffered severe setbacks due to August 5 clampdown and early snowfall.

“The sub -standard pesticides and fungicides are responsible for appearance of scab in our orchards,” a group of apple growers told news agency Kashmir News Observer.

They also said there has been no advice from the Horticulture Department on measures to be taken to control the scab.

“We have been visiting offices of Horticulture Department to get advice about controlling the scab but these offices remain shut and officials remain busy in dealing with covid-19 due. Nobody is guiding us” they said.

Dr Tariq Rasool, a senior scientist at SKUAST Kashmir said that last year’s incessant rains and early snowfall have caused scabs in orchards of Kashmir.

He said growers must spray fungicides 2- 3 days before rainfall or after rainfall in order to stop spread of Scab infection.

“Every year, a large chunk of fruit gets affected with scab disease due to inclement weather and untimely fungicide spray,” he said. He said improper pruning and trimming is also responsible for spread of scab in orchards.

“Due to improper pruning and trimming, sunlight is not reaching the dense branches, which keeps moisture for long time even in case of light rain and helps scab like infections to sprout,” he said.

He said people have skipped the spray of fungicide at green tip and pink bud stage of apple crop. He said growers must spray as per the schedule issued by SKAUST not on the recommendations of pesticide sellers.

The fruit industry is considered as backbone of Kashmir’s economy. The apple growers earn about Rs 8000 crore annually from horticulture sector.

With inputs from KNO