Team Herald
VALPOI: Coconut producers from the remote areas of Sattari taluka have complained about the increasing number of coconut trees dying due to 'Bud Rot', a fungal disease affecting the canopy of the coconut trees.
Farmers from these areas are worried about the ‘Bud Rot’ disease wreaking havoc, killing coconut trees at an alarming rate. With the lifeline of their livelihoods under threat, concerned farmers fear the worst if this silent killer spreads unchecked.
Ashok Joshi, a farmer from Valpoi, stated that due to heavy rains and the accumulation of water, both coconut trees and betel nut trees have been affected. Coconut trees are hit by ‘Bud Rot’, while betel nut trees are dying due to ‘Ganoderma’, which causes basal stem rot.
He mentioned that coconut production has decreased in many parts of the state due to “Bud Rot” and that it becomes difficult to detect the disease during the early stages of infection.
Valpoi Zonal Agricultural Officer (ZAO) Vishwanath Gawas explained that after the monsoon, coconut trees and saplings are affected by “Bud Rot” as it impacts the early growth stages of the trees. He noted that the fungus develops on coconut trees. During the coconut harvest in May, before the onset of the monsoon, coconut pluckers usually clean the entire top grove of the tree. However, due to heavy rains, wetness and humidity develop, allowing “Bud Rot” to take hold and affect the trees.
Gawas stated that the disease can be controlled if farmers clean the coconuts during the harvesting period in May.