The Hindu : Karnataka News : Poor flowering and diseases causing concern among mango farmers

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Poor flowering and diseases causing concern among mango farmers

Vishwa Kundapura

Lack of rain main cause for delay in flowering; only 30 per cent of trees have flowered

NOT MANY THIS TIME: Flowers are yet to show up on mango trees in Kolar district, and at right is a mango tree in full bloom.

KOLAR: Mango lovers may have to face “dry days” in the coming season of the king of fruits if the status of flowering of mango trees is any indication. The mango trees have also been affected by diseases.

Kolar district is considered as mango barn of Karnataka. However, this time, the region has registered low percentage of flowering in its mangroves. Delay in flowering due to lack of rain is expected to adversely affect the yield.

Tender leaves and flowers in mango trees indicate the arrival of summer.

The scene in the mangroves during the period is enchanting.

However, this time the number of trees that have flowers on them is low. According to an estimate, only 30 per cent of trees have flowered.

Mango is a major horticultural crop of the district. Mango is cultivated on 44,000 acres of land in the district.

Of this, Srinivaspur taluk accounts for about 20,000 acres of land. Kolar and Mulbagal taluks in the district and Chintamani taluk in Chikballapur district are other prominent mango growing areas of the region.

Woes aplenty

Despite growing a variety of mangoes in large quantities, cultivators are facing a number of problems: the fall in demand, the price crash, diseases and nature’s wrath among them. Unlike other farmers, mango growers encounter peculiar situation vis-À-vis the price of the crop. They do not get good prices even when there is demand due to shortage of supply.

And, mango cultivated in Srinivaspur is losing demand of late as the produce from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has found a considerable market.

“In all certainty mango harvest will be affected this season,” says R. Chowdappa, a grower from Srinivaspur. “We now have to protect the blossomed flower in the trees to see some fruits on them,” he adds.

Tender leaves are sprouting in the trees which does not augur well for flowers to develop into fruits. Diseases have compounded the worries of farmers.

Untimely rain

Even as farmers and Horticulture Department officials were thinking of the ways and means to protect the flowers, the heavy shower on Sunday came as a bolt from the blue for the growers. The rain has dampened the hopes of farmers as it has enhanced the chances of the flowers withering away soon.

If the powdery mildew (bood roga) disease, which has affected mango trees, is not controlled, 70 per cent of the yield may be rendered waste. This may push the farmers to a financial crisis.

According to K. Dhanraj, deputy director of Horticulture Department, three milligram of sulphur can be added to a litre of water and the mixture sprinkled before flowering and at the time of their tendering process.

Anthracnose (blossom blight) is another disease that normally affects mango trees. It is necessary to cut branches before the rainy season to encounter this disease effectively, Mr. Dhanraj said.

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