Areca nut plantations in Karkala taluk have been severely affected by ‘Crohn’s Root Rot’ disease, leading to significant crop losses for farmers. The disease, caused by the fungus phytophthora, particularly affects older, high-yielding trees. Symptoms first appear between August and September and may persist until early January.
The disease causes areca fronds to droop, yellow, and eventually die, with the root ball detaching from the tree. Brown spots appear at the base of the nuts, and the inner core rots. Improper use of Bordeaux mixture can aggravate the infection, but effective management practices can help control its spread.
Farmers are advised to follow strict guidelines, including applying neem cake with Trichoderma, removing infected debris, and using Bordeaux paste and solution. Early detection and timely treatment, such as applying Metalaxyl sprays, are crucial to saving affected trees.
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