Senior scientist Dr Usha Sharma from Dr. YS Parmar University emphasised on the importance of natural farming along with the adoption of modern techniques involving the use of pesticides. Raising the woes of apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, scab and apple blotch leafminer have started appearing in orchards. Experts have noted that field inspections suggest the scab has begun appearing on the leaves of apple plants. Also, traces of contagious apple blotch leafminer, an insect known to have damaged thousands of hectares of apple orchards in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) every year, have started emerging in the orchards of the state. These alarming findings were shared by experts from various institutes, including Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra, and private enterprises, at the CII Apple Conclave held in Kufri on Wednesday.

Source: Indian Express June 27, 2024 12:35 UTC