Leaf fungus under control: Rubber Board

Rubber business, already under pressure because of widening supply-demand gaps, suffered another blow with a fungal disease eating rubber leaf in the key production areas in Kerala. But the Rubber Board, in a bid to allay any fear, has termed the leaf disease as 'managable' with effective treatment

“The Corynespora leaf disease now found in certain rubber holdings, can be effectively controlled by spraying with proper fungicides and there is no need for concern among the farmers on this account,” according to Sheela Thomas, chairperson, Rubber Board.

“It is under control,” Thomas said, delivering the inaugural address in the Plant Protection Camp jointly organised by the Rubber Board and Rubber Producers’ Societies.

James Jacob director, Rubber Research Institute of India said that scientists of the Institute would be visiting rubber holdings periodically to identify the problems faced by the growers. He also noted that the meeting that GM rubber plants would be planted in the field, only on getting permission from the state governments.

The disease, which had only been affecting young seedlings in the nursery was first noticed in certain mature holdings in the Kerala-Karnataka border, a few years ago, and sporadic incidents are now being noticed in isolated areas in Kerala, said Kuruvilla Jacob Director–Training, Rubber Board said.

The disease is severe during the refoliation period from January to February. Trees in the border of the plantation and branches exposed to sunlight are seriously affected. Though Corynespora is now seen affecting a few holdings near Thodupuzha, many of the incidents noticed in the locality, showing symptoms of branch die-back, are not caused by Corynespora, but by the scorching summer heat, Jacob noted.

(Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/leaf-fungus-under-control-rubber-board/752996/0)