Srinagar, August 28: In what has signalled a red alert for Kashmir’s apple growers this year, scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Kashmir (SKAUST-K), have corroborated that 40 per cent of the apple orchards in Kashmir are severely infected with alternaria leaf blotch disease. The intensity of the disease in the affected orchards is 80 per cent which may lead to a drastic decline in the apple production in the Valley this year. The Kashmir Fruit Growers Association has estimated that the apple produce is expected to decline by 80 to 85 per cent this year due to the disease. The disease is characterised by the appearance of small, circular, light brown lesions with purple margins which on coalescing form irregular necrotic patches on leaves. The disease ultimately results in premature defoliation (falling of leaves). “This is the worst year for the Kashmirs apple industry since many decades. The apple production, particularly of delicious varieties (red delicious and Kullu delicious) has been severely affected by alternaria leaf blotch. The intensity of the disease has shocked the apple growers' community,” said Ghulam Rasool Wagay, president of the Kashmir Fruit Growers Association. Wagay said all districts of the Valley were equally affected by the disease, including Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north Kashmir and Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Scientists say the reason as to why the Kashmiri apples have suffered a severe blow is the non-adherence of fungicide spraying schedules by the farmers during the fruit-setting season from January to March. Fungicides as per scientists could have prevented the growth of the pathogens during the high temperatures followed by frequent and intermittent rains coupled with high humidity during June-July. Director, Extension Education, SKAUST-K, Afeefa Kamili told The Tribune that a central diagnostic team along with scientists of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras took a tour of various Valley orchards to ascertain the nature of the problem. “The weather vagaries coupled with the non-adherence of guidelines by the apple growers have led to the problem. Apart from the alternaria leaf blotch disease, minor incidence of necrotic leaf blotch disease on golden delicious variety of apple due to physiological stress has also been reported. Experts have been flown in from Delhi to suggest remedial measures to keep the disease under check,” she said. The varsity has issued a fresh fungicide spray schedule, which it says needs to be adhered strictly to to avoid further damage. However, apple growers are predicting losses to the amount of Rs 100 crore this year. “Kashmir produces apples worth Rs 200 crore annually. As per the ongoing crisis, at least the sector will incur losses worth Rs 100 crore,” Wagay said. Crop damage * 40 per cent of the apple orchards in Kashmir severely infected with alternaria leaf blotch disease * The disease is characterised by the appearance of small, circular, light brown lesions with purple margins which on coalescing form irregular necrotic patches on leaves. * Scientists attribute the problem to non-adherence of fungicide spraying schedules by the farmers during the fruit-setting season from January to March.