ITANAGAR, Jan 18 � In the backdrop of widespread decline of orange growth in Arunachal, Bhekuliang and Bedagam in Lohit district are also facing the brunt.
Out of 200 hectares of orange plantations in these villages, 30-40 hectares are inflicted largely due to nutrient deficiency, citrus greening disease and viral infections indicating a signal of citrus declining in these picturesque foothills villages. This pocket is one of the orange bowls of Lohit district.
During a visit to the orange orchards, Lohit DC Dr BM Mishra has expressed disappointment over the adverse effect of orange plants and declared the situation highly alarming, an official release said here.
He immediately asked the Horticulture department officials to educate and aware the villagers about its remedies to avoid further spread of the diseases.
Simultaneously, the department has decided to organise a result oriented practical training-cum-demonstration programme in the farmers� orange gardens at Bhekuliang on January 20 next to rejuvenate senile and unproductive orange gardens.
�Hectares of orange orchards are being deserted as the decline has completely swallowed up the plantations and spreading to other areas. There is an urgent need to address the crisis before it spread to other gardens which will be a total catastrophe for citrus industry in the district,� said S Rehman, Horticulture development officer.
The Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Research and Development Mission (APHRDM) too has said that there was an alarming situation of �Citrus Decline� in the State, especially in Lohit and other districts, affecting orange cultivation in large scale.
According to department sources, citrus decline is caused by many factors. However, the survey team suspects three causes: Nutrient deficiency (especially zinc deficiency), Citrus Greening disease and viral infections (Tristeza and Yellow corky vein virus) to be responsible for the present crisis.
Greening disease is caused by gram negative bacteria which get into orchards through infected planting materials and later is transmitted to other plants through a fly called Citrus psylla.
Control measures include both controlling the bacteria as well as the insect carrier.
�Nutrients deficiency is specially caused by poor management of orchards due to negligence of farmers and that is why Citrus Decline is also called �Neglectosis�.
Good management like fertilisation including micro-nutrient application, irrigation and weed control will take care of nutrient deficiency problem,� informed the HDO. � PTI
