The strawberry crop grown over hundreds of acres in Jammu is threatened by widespread fungal attacks. In many areas, the plants have in fact prematurely wilted following a fungal blight attack.

According to cultivators in Bishnah, Samba and Hiranagar — major strawberry producing areas — many plants have been affected with Mycosphaerella, a plant disease, resulting in wilting of leaves and stems of the plant.

Jammu and Kashmir produces nearly 1,00,000 kg of strawberry annually, which not only cater to the local demands but are also sent to other states of the country.

There are about 14 different varieties of the fruit and in addition of being consumed fresh, it is also used in dairy products.

A senior scientist at Sher-e -Kashmir Agriculture University (SKUAST), Jammu, Dr J P Sharma, said, “We have received reports about a fungal blight attack on stems and leaves of strawberry crop,” adding that though it is for the horticulture department to take measures but they are also ready to cooperate.

Sharma said a spray of Redomil MZ could be used effectively to control the spread of fungus and save the crop from ruin.

“There are other pesticides that could be used to control the fungus spread but Redomil is very effective in the present case,” the scientist added.

The cultivation season in Jammu region starts in October and lasts up to month of June and is concentrated in Samba, Kathua, Bani, R S Pura and Ramban areas and hundreds of farmers are engaged in its farming.

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