Assessment of Problems in Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley through Disease Diagnostic Visits Bhat M.Y., Alam Safeer*, Wani Rouf A.1, Kumar Sushil, Dar Mohd Ashraf, Dar Mushtaq A., Banday F.A. Directorate of Extension Education, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar-190025 (J & K) 1Division of Entomology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar-190025, (J & K) *Email: safeeralam1@gmail.com
Online published on 23 December, 2016. Abstract The present study is based on the disease diagnostic visits of the Directorate of Extension Education, SKUAST-Kashmir during years 2011 and 2012. The visits were conducted on the need of the orchardists to diagnose the problems and rendered on spot advisory or solutions. The total of 28 disease diagnostic team visits were conducted, covering all the districts of Kashmir Valley. Twenty biotic and eight abiotic problems that hamper qualitative and quantitative apple production in the valley were identified by the scientists/experts. Root-rot and collar rot were found to be most prevalent diseases, besides sanjose scale and European red mite. The abiotic causes constraining the quality appleproduction were due to nutritional deficiencies, lack of pollinizers in faulty pruning practices, etc. The details regarding all the diagnosedproblems with respect to their distribution, causes, symptoms and recommendations are presented in this study to overcome these problems that can potentially help in boosting the production and quality of apple. Top Keywords Disease Diagnostic Services (DDS), Apple Orchards, Biotic and Abiotic Problems, Kashmir Valley. Top |