The root wilt disease of coconut, which is severe in southern districts of the State, has now been reported for the first time in Kozhikode district from Thiruvambady and Koodaranji panchayats.
This was announced at the meeting of the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), under the Department of Agriculture in Kozhikode, for providing seasonal technology advisory services to the farmers held at Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) on Tuesday.
The meeting also informed that the Thanjavoor wilt disease was fast spreading to many areas in the district. A team of scientists from Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kasaragod had already visited the affected farms to study the spread and possible remedies, an IISR spokesman said in a statement after the meeting.
He said the yellowing of the outer whorl leaves of coconut was also reported and earlier observations pointed to the deficiency of micronutrients, mainly magnesium, boron and calcium.
In banana, the infestation by ‘Pseudostem’ borer was reported. Farm scientists said the pest could be controlled by spraying chlorphyrhiphos or by the use of organic neem -based chemicals.
IISR -Kozhikode and Krishi Vignan Kendra (KVK) in Peruvannamuzhi are the nodal agencies for drafting the monthly information messages, based on the field problems reported by the Block Development Managers under ATMA in Kozhikode district.
The Assistant Directors of Agriculture from 12 Blocks in the district presented the problems of the season and issues of farmers at the meeting. The meeting was attended by Deputy Directors (Agriculture) V.M. Muhammed and P.K. Muhammed, C.S. Shyla, Project Director, ATMA, and scientists from IISR and from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Peruvannamuzhi.
