As arecanut growing belts in Karnataka and Kerala are experiencing significant rise in temperature since March which can result in reduced fruit set and shedding of premature nuts, the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), headquartered in Kasaragod in Kerala, has asked farmers to maintain optimum moisture in the arecanut gardens through irrigation.
It has also advised for mulching the garden to reduce evaporation losses.
P. Chowdappa, Director, CPCRI, has, in a release, said that arecanut growing tracts experienced “significantly above normal temperatures (maximum, minimum and mean) during February and March when compared to the corresponding period of 2015.
Crop plants are highly sensitive to increased fluctuation in temperature during reproductive phase. Increase in maximum temperature decreases the photosynthesis and reduces pollen germination. This results in reduced fruit set and shedding.
Apart from this, there was severe incidence of inflorescence dieback (8 per cent to 16 per cent) in five districts of Karnataka, said Mr. Chowdappa. This disease is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides . It induces shedding of buttons.
CPCRI has suggested spraying Napthalene acetic acid (NAA) 20 ppm (0.2 g in 10 l water) to the inflorescence to prevent shedding of buttons. In addition to the recommended dose of potassium, an additional dose of 150 g of muriate of potash per palm may be applied with irrigation to the gardens with severe button shedding.
Spray mancozeb+carbendenzim (2 g / L of water) twice in 30 days, the release said.
Source : The Hindu
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