The state government has sought a report from the Department of Agriculture on the impact and losses of scarce rain on crops. The overall rain deficit in the monsoon season has reached minus 41 per cent, and around minus 75 per cent in the last 10 days. This deficiency has led to the delay in the sowing of paddy and slow growth of maize.
Foliar disease breaks out
- Scanty rainfall has triggered foliar disease in apple plants in the upper Shimla area
- The sowing of paddy has been delayed in some pockets
- Crops could face damage if there isn’t rainfall in the next seven to 10 days
- Apple growers are praying for rains to control attack of foliar disease and pests on apple orchards
Besides, the scanty rainfall has triggered a widespread attack of foliar disease in apple plants in the upper Shimla area. “The sowing of paddy has been delayed in some pockets due to deficit rains. We have asked the Department of Horticulture to conduct a survey to assess the impact and losses due to the dry weather conditions,” said Secretary, Agriculture C Paulrasu.
According to an official of the Agriculture Department, these crops could sustain significant damage if there isn’t good rainfall over the next seven to 10 days. The weather department has issued a forecast for rain, including heavy rains, at isolated places over the next five days. The farmers would hope that the forecast turns out correct and there’s a widespread rainfall over the next few days.
The apple growers are also praying for good rains to control the attack of foliar disease and pests on apple orchards. The lack of rain and relatively higher temperature and humidity has triggered foliar diseases like alternaria and other leaf spots in addition to mite. “We need good rainfall to control the further spread of these diseases. The current weather conditions are aiding the spread of these diseases,” said a fruit scientist.
Source - https://www.tribuneindia.com
