The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Chilli struck by deadly virus at Ravella

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Friday, Nov 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Chilli struck by deadly virus at Ravella

Staff Reporter

Agriculture Minister calls for coordinated campaign

Elisa test confirms presence of Cucumbur Mosaic Virus
A team of scientists too interact with the farmers

RAVELLA (GUNTUR DT): It is now confirmed by the laboratory findings that a dangerous virus, Cucumbur Mosaic Virus (CMV), has infected the chilli crop in the district. Of the 1.50 lakh acres, in which chilli was being grown in the district, at least 100 acres has been affected, according to preliminary information from the agriculture department . The damage was extensive in at least three land holdings at Ravella village in Tadikonda Assembly constituency. The extent of the damage could be more after the reports from various mandals pour in.

The news came late on Wednesday night after a team of agricultural officials and scientists from A.P Horticulture University and the Horticulture Research Station (LAM) collected the samples at Ravella, Mandapadu and Ponnekallu village on Tuesday and sent them to Hyderabad, where an Elisa test confirmed the virus. Some more samples were sent to the Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, where tests would be conducted if the crop was infected with a more deadly virus called, Tobacco Mosaic Virus.

Preventive steps

Agricultural Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, who inspected the damaged crops on Thursday evening, called for a well-coordinated campaign involving all the departments to create an awareness among the farmers on the necessary preventive steps to prevent the virus from spreading.

The Minister along with Tadikonda M.L.A D.Manikya Vara Prasad, Sattenapalli M.L.A Y. Venkatestwara Reddy, M.L.C R. Srinivas, AMC Chairman L. Appi Reddy, District Collector B. Venkatesham and agriculture department joint director I. Ramakrishna Murthy inspected the virus-infected two-acre plot belonging to Sk. Hussain. A team of scientists, P. Venkat Reddy, K. Uma Jyothi and S. Surya Kumari too interacted with the farmers and told them about various options available to prevent the virus from spreading.

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