Copyright thehindu
Areca growers spread over Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts, areas of traditional areca cultivation, are worried over the fall in yield due to kole roga, or fruit rot disease, affecting the plantations. A majority of growers in Tirthahalli, Hosangara, Sagar in Shivamogga and those in Sringeri, Koppa of Chikkamagaluru are anticipating a decrease in the yield up to 50%. Excess rainfall in a short duration in these taluks badly hit the crop. In Shivamogga, the major areca-growing district in the State, the plantations are spread over 1,37,407 hectares. Of that, areca grown on 49,332 hectares had been affected by the fruit rot. The authorities estimate the loss to be in the tune of ₹2,537.40 crore. In the neighbouring Chikkamagaluru district, 21,304 hectares of areca plantation have been affected by the fruit rot. Premature dropping The continuous heavy rains increases moisture in the soil, creating a conducive environment for fungal infection caused by Phytophthora arecae. The impact of the disease leads to premature dropping and rotting of tender nuts, resulting in heavy loss for the farmers. There are reports of leaf spot, also a fungal infection, caused by Phyllosticta arecae, in vast areas of the district. Nagarajappa Adiveppar, head of the Areca Research Centre of Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural University in Shivamogga, said that in the months of August and July, there was continuous heavy rains for 10 to 15 days. “During such a situation, the humidity level increases in soil, helping the disease to spread. As there is heavy continuous rainfall, the growers cannot spray medicine and also face difficulty draining out water collected in the farm. We have received reports of fruit rot affecting farms in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, besides Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru,” the official said. Can get worse Further, Mr. Adiveppar noted that if the infection was severe, the disease could turn into bud rot, impacting the yield from the tree in the coming years as well. The scientist said that the university had conducted several awareness programmes in farms on how to tackle the disease. “We have conducted a demonstration on preparing Bordeaux mixture. Many farmers do not follow the scientific method to prepare the mixture, resulting in low efficiency of the chemical,” he added. The growers are hoping that the State government and the Centre will offer relief for the farmers affected. Ramesh Hegde, president of Shivamogga District Areca Growers’ Association, told The Hindu, “In this region, a majority of the growers are small growers. They possess three to five acres of plantation. The government should be generous in responding to them.”
