Apple Leaf Blotch Miner: Dir ICAR-CITH calls for urgent action to combat invasive pest

Pulwama, Aug 19: Expressing his concern with high incidence of Apple Leaf Blotch Miner( ALBM) in apple orchards across South Kashmir, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Verma, Director of the ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) in Srinagar, has called for urgent and decisive action to combat the invasive pest.
Talking to Rising Kashmir on phone, Dr. Verma, said that the ALBM infestation, initially believed to be confined to specific pockets, has now spread to a significant number of apple orchards across the region.
“We were expecting that this infestation was limited to certain areas, but it has spread widely, posing a serious threat to apple cultivation in Kashmir,” he said.
ALBM is a relatively new invasive pest in Kashmir, and its rapid spread has raised alarms among horticulturists and farmers alike.
The pest poses a severe risk to the apple industry, which is the primary source of livelihood for many in the region.
Dr. Verma urged the need for a coordinated response involving both central and local authorities, as well as research institutions, to address this emerging challenge.
“We need to help our farmers deal effectively with this challenge,” he said, adding that he plans to request central and Union Territory (UT) authorities to establish a quick reaction team to tackle the issue.
He further urged the central government to dispatch a team of scientists to inspect the affected orchards and identify effective interventions.
“It is crucial that research scientists from various institutions prioritise this challenge and work towards finding a solution to protect our apple industry and farmers from severe economic loss,” Dr. Verma said.
In response to the crisis, Dr. Verma announced that a team of scientists from CITH will soon be sent to conduct a thorough survey of both high-density and traditional apple orchards in the affected areas. The team will prepare a detailed report, including recommendations, which will be submitted to the central government to guide future actions to curb the spread of ALBM.