Rubber Board says Corynespora leaf disease under control

KOCHI(Commodity Online) : The Corynespora leaf disease now found in certain rubber holdings near Thodupuzha in Kerala, can be effectively controlled by spraying proper fungicides, noted India’s Rubber Board and assured that the disease is now under control.
There is no need for concern among the farmers on this account Sheela Thomas, Chairman, Rubber Board here Friday.
She was delivering the inaugural address in the Plant Protection Camp jointly organised by the Rubber Board and Rubber Producers’ Societies.
Dr. James Jacob, Director, Rubber Research Institute of India, said in his speech that scientists of the Institute would be visiting rubber holdings periodically to identify the problems faced by the growers.
He also informed 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 Dr. Kuruvilla Jacob in his introductory address.
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, he pointed out.

(Source: http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Rubber-Board-says-Corynespora-leaf-disease-under-control-36583-3-1.html)