Mortality of neem trees goes up in A.P.; scientists blame fungus, insect attack

Scientists of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticulture University (Dr.YSRHU), Venkataramannagudem successful West Godavari district, person launched investigations aft cases of accrued mortality of Neem trees (Azadirachta Indica) were reported from galore places successful Andhra Pradesh recently.

Farmers and residents from assorted places kick that neem trees, including the decade-old ones, successful fields and households were drying up and withering.

“We noticed the dried leaves and twigs erstwhile we went to cod flowers during the caller Ugadi festival. At immoderate places, the flowers were dried up,” said Uma Devi, a nonmigratory of Vuyyuru successful Krishna district.

“We had a neem histrion successful our compound for the past 10 years. It dried up slowly. Another neem histrion astatine our neighbour’s location besides died. We person nary hint astir the cause,” said Teja, an engineering pupil from Amalapuram.

Meanwhile, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticulture University (Dr.YSRHU), Venkataramannagudem said that a squad of scientists launched investigations.

YSRHU Vice-Chancellor K. Dhanumjaya Rao said that 5 teams headed by main scientists of the probe stations conducted probe connected the issue. They recovered that neem trees are dying owed to ‘dieback’ illness caused by the infestation of a fungus Phomopsis Azadirachtae and the Tea Mosquito Bug.

“The insects provender connected the tender leaves of the tree. It affects the leaves, twigs, inflorescence and fruits astatine the apical of the twigs. The corruption spreads to the full tree. Slowly, the leaves crook yellowish and past brown. Finally, the histrion dies,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Discussions and virtual meetings were held with the scientists, programme coordinators, researchers connected prevention and dispersed of the illness and extortion of neem trees, Director of Research of the university, Ch. Ruth said.

YSRHU Director of Research G. Ramanandam said immoderate trees are successful a recoverable stage. “To power the infection, affected twigs and branches should beryllium pruned up to 10cm to 15 cm beneath the dried-up area. The removed branches should beryllium burnt immediately,” helium said.

Curative measures

After pruning, fungicide Carbendazim (One gram per litre) and insecticide Profenophos (2ml per litre) should beryllium sprayed connected the full canopy of the tree. Organic manure and neem barroom should besides beryllium applied to amended the immunity of the tree, the Vice-Chancellor said.

“People, officers of Gram Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations are requested to alert the adjacent horticulture colleges, probe stations and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) if they announcement drying of neem trees,” Dr. Dhanumjaya Rao said.