‘Aphids’ emerge as major pests in apple orchards of Kashmir

Pulwama, July 10: Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, have been emerging as major pests in apple orchards of Kashmir during the past couple of years due to changing climate.
Experts revealed Jammu and Kashmir, like other climatic zones, is experiencing a change in weather patterns.
They added that relatively hot and humid conditions in Kashmir this summer resulted in higher insect incidence in apple orchards.
Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama, Javid Ahmad Bhat, observed that a few years ago Aphids used to be a minor pest.
“For past couple of years it has been turning into a major pest and farmers struggle to control it with routine insecticide sprays,” he said, adding that climate change, especially rise in temperature, can be a possible reason for emergence of pest insects.
He explained that misuse of some insecticides which have been in use in Kashmir for the past 40 years can be another reason for the emergence of new pest insects.
He said that the insecticides kill beneficial insects along with intended target pests.
The CHO advised farmers for expert suggestions before spraying insecticides in their apple orchards because injudicious and indiscriminate use of insecticides may lead to emergence of new pest species.
He said a few years ago Aphids were found in very small numbers in apple orchards of Kashmir posing no significant threat.
“Now, Aphids emerge as a major pest causing economic loss to farmers,” he said, adding they need to devise a strategy to control it.
He said that farmers can spray their orchards with specific chemicals against Aphids.
He added that biological methods can also be used to check this pest.
“Beneficial insects like Ladybird beetle feed on Aphids can help in keeping this pest in check,” he said, lamenting the decrease in population of Ladybird beetle due to misuse of insecticides in apple orchards by farmers.
The CHO informed that SKUAST-K has recommended few chemicals against Aphids which farmers can spray in their orchards to check their population.