Growers in Shopian grapple with double whammy as scab outbreaks escalates amidst efforts to combat Alternaria

Aaqib Naik

Shopian, 06 July: A sudden and severe outbreak of pinpoint scab disease has caused widespread devastation in larger parts of the Shopian District. Dozens of villages are in a state of distress as the disease thrives in the region’s high humidity levels and recent rainfall, providing ideal conditions for its growth.

(Pics by Aaqib Naik)

Pinpoint scab is a common fungal disease caused by the pathogen Venturia inaequalis, which affects apple trees. The primary scab typically appears during spring, characterized by dark lesions on leaves and fruits.

Apple growers, particularly in the lower belt of Shopian District, including areas such as Awaneera, Chitragam, Zainapora, Safanagri, and Wachi, find themselves caught between two crises. They are currently dealing with the escalating scab outbreak while simultaneously battling Alternaria disease, which could emerge following the recent rainfall.

The growers express their frustration as their efforts to combat Alternaria, a well-known fungal disease, have been disrupted by the emergence of this mysterious disease. The timing of the outbreak during the growing season is unprecedented, and they are encountering this disease for the first time, adding further complications to the already challenging task of protecting their crops.

“We are using preventive methods to control Alternaria disease, but recent rains in Kashmir have made it difficult for us to do so, and now we are dealing with the scab disease as well, compounding our challenges,” they said. While spraying chemicals to protect their crops from Alternaria, pinpoint scab appeared unexpectedly.

One grower, Mohammad Iqbal Naik, while talking with Arising State shared his woes, mentioning that the appearance of uneven scab disease in the midst of the season compounds their challenges. The rising cost of pesticides and the significant issue of low fruit set this year compared to previous years impose a significant financial burden on them, further straining their already precarious economic situation.

“In spite of adhering to horticulture recommendations and timely spraying, we end up spending a lot of money on pesticides. This year, with fewer fruits to harvest, we face an uphill battle to maintain profitability and sustain our business,” he said.

Another grower, Aadil Ahmad Itoo, mentions the challenges they already face, including low market rates and rising production costs, particularly in apple cultivation. The additional burden of mounting expenditures, such as expensive pesticides and fertilizers, along with the emergence of this new disease, adds further distress to their fruit.

Horticulture experts offer their insights into pinpoint scab outbreaks occurring during the growing season and their appearance in the late stages of crop growth. They attribute these outbreaks to advanced crop development and specific temperature conditions.

While there are minimal chances of secondary or pinpoint scab on leaves from previous years by the end of May, complete eradication is challenging due to various circumstances like wind, rain, and the resistance of fungal spores.

Other factors, such as orchard neglect and inadequate spraying techniques by some producers, decreased fruit output observed by growers, or the misconception that reducing spraying programs saves time and money, can contribute to the appearance of secondary or pinpoint scab. Unfortunately, this choice often leads to disastrous results as improper disease management promotes the growth of secondary scab, caution horticulture specialists.

Pathologist Dr. Tariq Rasool from SKAUST reveals that the disease is not limited to the mentioned area but has emerged throughout the entire valley. The continuous rainfall this year has provided ideal conditions for the infection to spread. Dr. Rasool suggests that by spraying orchards with appropriate fungicides before rainy weather, growers can potentially prevent further infection or minimize its impact.