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The Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is hopeful of finding a way in two years to tackle yellow leaf disease (YLD) in arecanut plantations.
(YLD is seen in Sullia region of Dakshina Kananda district, and Koppa and Sringeri regions of Chikmagalur district in Karnataka. The disease, which affects the areca palms of all age groups, declines the plant’s productivity.)
In an informal chat with BusinessLine at Vittal in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday, P Chowdappa, Director of CPCRI, Kasaragod, said that the institute has submitted a ₹7-crore proposal to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to conduct a study to find a solution for this disease.
He said CPCRI is approaching YLD from three different directions. One such approach will be to develop plant growth promoting micro organisms.
He said micro organisms that enhance plant growth will be isolated to prepare a formulation. Such formulations will help boost growth and crop yield when applied to roots.
The second approach is to identify the YLD-resistant plants in disease-affected areas, and to go in for the multiplication of such plants through tissue culture. Such plants have already been identified in disease-affected areas, he said. The third approach will be to develop micro-nutrient formulation to reduce the disease intensity. These three solutions will be combined for the management of YLD in areacanut plantations. Though he was hopeful of coming out with a solution in two years, he felt field trials may take some time. “We are hopeful that in two years we may get the ways to tackle YLD,” Chowdappa said.
He was in Vittal to participate in a stakeholders’ meeting of enhancing productivity and value addition in arecanut plantations.
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