The Hindu Business Line : Mystery disease symptoms in Bt cotton in AP

In some areas, a new disease appears to be spreading with "a peculiar symptom of middle order leaves exhibiting necrotic spots", according to the A.P. Coalition in Defence of Diversity (A.P. CID).

The discrepancy is specially visible in Bt cotton that was planted early. Never before has this disease appeared in cotton and could turn out to be fatal for Bt cotton plants, the Coalition warned in a press release here.

A senior agriculture scientist Dr Qayum (who retired as the Joint Director, Agriculture of the AP Government), who toured these areas, has reported that the problem might be a "complex of tobacco streak virus and necrosis". The delay in rains would compound the problem and farmers are panicking the area, the release said.

Probe sought

In view of this, the APCID demands that the Government immediately order a scientific inquiry into the disease. Scientists of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University as well as from the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, should get to the truth of the matter, it said.

Buoyed by the government decision to control Bt seed prices nearly 100 per cent more farmers planted Bt cotton this year. Last year, there were complaints that Bt cotton had invited tobacco streak virus, a disease which had never been seen on cotton plants in this region.

More Stories on : Cotton | Pests | Andhra Pradesh

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