The Hindu Business Line : Rains brighten TN tea crop prospects

TEA crop prospects in the Nilgiris in September and October are likely to be bright if the present spell of rains continues with intermittent sun hours.

"We anticipate an increase of 10 per cent in crop should the weather help. The biggest problem the growers face in some pockets is the infestation of blister blight disease. We have advised the farmers to go for application of protective materials in a span of 7 days," a tea scientist said.

Earlier, tea fields in some pockets suffered the red spider attack, but the problem has come down. "These insects have become immune to some regularly used pesticides. So, we are advising the farmers to change their pesticides to control the infestation."

Since the spider sucks the juice from the leaves, this leads to weakening of the tealeaves and their droppings.

"Wherever problems are found, we are advising repeated application of the various pesticides every 8 days," the scientist said.

But, the weather is helping the harvest to go on.

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