Chitwan avocado orchards warn of measles-borne disease

Kathmandu. Chitwan: Avocado farming in different parts of Chitwan district has been found infected with serious diseases lately. Avocado plantations in both eastern and western parts of the district have been found to be infected with measles.

According to the Agriculture Development Office, Chitwan, this is a unique and deadly problem seen for the first time in the district. Horticulture Development Officer at the office, Swastika Chauhan, said that the disease has been detected mainly due to the fungal infection.

The nature and impact of the disease are being closely studied, and the samples have been sent for further testing, she said. Preliminary studies have confirmed that the disease is caused by a bacterium called ‘Phytope Thera meningii’. This bacterium spreads rapidly from one plant to another, especially through soil and water.

Diseased plants may initially have signs of wilting and dying, and then gradually withering the buds completely. The main feature is the appearance of lesions and abscesses on the stems and branches of the plant. Agricultural technicians have urged farmers to take special precautions.

Care should be taken not to water directly at the base of the plant and to avoid injury to the plant while irrigating the garden. Technicians say that if there are wounds or abscesses on the plant, it is necessary to apply bodopastu immediately and use appropriate fungicides to control the disease.

Although avocado cultivation in Chitwan was relatively new, its commercial expansion was taking place at a rapid pace. Currently, about 6 in the district. It is spread over 5 hectares of land and yields up to 51 metric tons annually. However, farmers are worried about a steep drop in production and loss of investment.

The Agriculture Office has asked the farmers to seek technical consultation as regular cleaning of the orchard and irrigation management can protect the plants from this disease.