Rain leaves coffee plantations fraught with fruit rot disease

The recent spell of rain in Kodagu district has left growers worried as coffee and black pepper vines are badly affected with fruit rot disease.

As coffee is grown in shades, an increase in rainfall has aggravated the disease. The growers feel that about 20 to 30% of the crops have been damaged.

Fruit rot is a fungal disease. The affected leaves turn black and branches start decaying. Agriculture experts have urged the growers to initiate measures to prevent the spread of disease. “The roots of the coffee plants should be cleared. All the fallen leaves of silver oak trees on the coffee plant should also be removed. If a plant is affected with the disease, then such leaves and beans should be destroyed. About 1% of bordeaux mixture should be sprayed on the plant before the onset of monsoon. Bavistin solution should be sprayed to the affected plants in the month of August,” the Coffee Board Deputy Director said. For more details, growers can contact Coffee Board office.

The ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra organised a demonstration on controlling bacterial wilt (Soragu roga) disease affecting pepper vines in the garden of Thithimada Ramesh at Kunda village in Virajpet.

The use of Arka Microbial Consortium developed by Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru was demonstrated on the occasion. Krishi Vigyan Kendra head Dr Saju George and others were present.