The University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shimoga, will take up a research project on managing pest and fungal infections in arecanut.
C. Vasudevappa, Vice-Chancellor of UAHS, Shimoga, said the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) will provide Rs. 5 crore for the project.
The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, and National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects (NBAII), Bangalore, will join hands with the UAHS.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (AHRS) of UAHS in Sringeri has hosted various research works related to arecanut. The infrastructure necessary for the ICAR-funded research project will be created at AHRS.
Mr. Vasudevappa said the CPCRI and NBAII will depute two scientists each for the research project. The project will be of three years duration and will be a target-oriented research work. The UAHS will also create the posts of four research associates, who will work for a monthly honorarium. The research work is likely to commence from April 2015, he said.
There has been a sharp decline in arecanut yield in Malnad region in recent times owing to fruit rot disease, root grub disease and yellow leaf disease. The results from the existing pest management practices are not on expected levels. Owing to heavy rain that lashed Malnad region last year, there was excess moisture content in the weather resulting in breakout of fruit rot disease.
In wake of these problems, the UAHS has planned to take up research project to evolve effective means of managing pest and fungal infections.
