Incessant rains: Advisory issued to orchardists

Srinagar, April 20: As Kashmir is witnessing incessant rains for last few days, the Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir on Thursday issued an advisory for the orchardist community for taking precautionary measures to avoid any loss to the orchards.
The advisory issued said occurrence of continuous and incessant rains for last few days has enhanced the chances of emergence/spread of various diseases and pests in fruit orchards, particularly those where orchardists haven’t been able to spray pesticides before the rains.
“Therefore, there are apprehensions of the spread of disease and pests such as Scab on apple, Peach leaf curl, shot hole disease, Aphids etc.,” the advisory said.
It said that for the management of the said diseases/pests, orchardists are advised to spray any of the given chemicals immediately after the weather stabilizes.
“For Apple Scab Flusilazole 40EC @20 mls /100 litres of water be sprayed or Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tubeconozole 50% 75 WG @ 40g/ 100litres of water or Difenoconazole 25EC 70 @ 30 mls / 100 litres of water or Fluopyram17.7% + Tebuconazole 17.7% 40SC @ 50mls/100 litres of water,” the advisory recommended.
As per the advisory, where there has been waterlogging in the orchards, the orchardists have been asked to ensure proper drainage to the orchards to avoid water-lodging immediately. Farmers have been advised to always spray during cool hours of the day and preferably use mist sprayer.