Pulwama, March 22: In response to recent rainfall across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, pathologists from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Science and Technology have issued a crucial advisory to apple orchardists.
The advisory recommends immediate spray of contact fungicides approved by the Shar e Kashmir University of Science and Technology Kashmir ( SKUAST-K).
Dr. Tariq Rasool, Associate Professor at the Division of Plant Pathology, advised the immediate fungicide spray to combat potential fungal infestations.
Dr. Rasool highlighted the importance of timing, stating that if the green tip stage of apple trees is well advanced, orchardists are strongly advised to apply a fungicide recommended by the university.
He said that orchards which were severely affected by scab infestation last year need to be sprayed with recommended fungicide, even if only 10% of the green tip has appeared.
However, for apple orchards unaffected by scab infestation last year, Dr. Rasool said that there is no immediate need for fungicide spray at the 10% green tip stage for such orchards.
Addressing concerns about the impact of rainfall post-spray, Dr. Rasool said that it would not cause fruit russetting at this stage.
Dr. Rasool urged orchardists to apply the recommended fungicides by Saturday if they missed the spray earlier.
He cautioned that delaying the application by two or three days could render the contact fungicides ineffective in containing potential infestations, especially considering the critical nature of the green tip stage for scab management.
Dr. Rasool narrated that managing scab infection once it occurs at this crucial stage becomes challenging for farmers.
He informed that in foreign countries apple orchardists apply six sprays from onset of green tip to petal fall stage to check scab infestation.
