Srinagar, Sep 22: Department of Horticulture, Kashmir has issued an advisory to the orchardists of Kashmir related to the outbreak of a novel pest – a leaf minor (Leucoptera scitella) in the Zainapora and adjoining villages of District Shopian.
In an advisory issued to Ziraat Times today, the department said, “As there has been an outbreak of a novel pest- a leaf minor (Leucoptera scitella) in the Zainapora and adjoining villages of District Shopian. The orchardists of the area had earlier taken it as the alterneria leaf spot and sprayed various fungicides of their own for its control, which proved to be a wasteful exercise.
As majority of the pest population has already started over wintering on the leaves, fruits stems twigs and debris and the various adhoc management practices to be adopted at this stage are listed below.
- Sanitation : Collection and burning of all the fallen leaves and dumping of fallen fruits 2 feet below the ground is the most important strategy at this stage.
- Ploughing: After complete leaf fall and their disposal , infested orchardist should be ploughed to ensure 100% sanitation.
- Spraying: Spraying of infested and surrounding orchards should be ensured immediately with a combo product of Chloropyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% E.C @ 100 ml. per 100 ltrs. of water or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 100 ml. per 100 ltrs of water.
Further Orchardists are requested to keep a close liaison with the Department of Horticulture and SKUAST-K.
