India: Decline in citrus fruit production causes concern
Lohit and Lower Dibang Valley, the two major orange producing districts, are particularly affected by the phenomenon as many farmers had to abandon hundreds of hectares of orange orchards.
According to a survey conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Research and Development Mission (APHRDM) from October 26 to October 31, Wakro in Lohit district, known as the orange bowl of the state, and Roing and Korunu circles in Lower Dibang Valley district are the worst affected.
APHRDM mission director Egam Basar, who studied the problem, said that there was an urgent need to address the problem, caused by a host of diseases, before it spread to other districts.
Though decline in citrus fruit is caused by several factors, the survey team zeroed in on three causes - nutrient deficiency (especially zinc deficiency), greening disease and viral infection (Tristeza and Yellow Corky Vein virus), responsible for the crisis.
"Greening disease is caused by gram negative bacteria which gets into orchards through infected planting materials and later transmitted to other plants through a fly called Citrus Psylla.
Measures to control the diseases include both controlling the bacteria as well as the insect carrier, Basar says.
Source: business-standard.com