Four months ahead of monsoon: Experts sensitise apple farmers to keep fungal diseases Alternaria and Marssonina at bay
Both fungal diseases attack apple foliage under rising temperature and humidity, particularly during monsoon, causing premature leaf fall, reduced fruit size and significant yield losses: Senior scientist Dr Usha Sharma
These areas are major apple-producing regions of the Valley. With the threat of widespread Alternaria leaf spot and Marssonina leaf blotch looming over apple orchards, horticulture experts on Tuesday launched an extensive awareness and sensitisation drive across Himachal Pradesh nearly four months ahead of the monsoon season, the period most conducive to the spread of these fungal diseases.
The week-long drive in Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts, till February 19, will strengthen farmers’ knowledge of disease identification, preventive care and integrated disease management to promote sustainable apple production and safeguard orchardists’ livelihoods.
In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is the largest producer of apple products, followed by Kinnaur.
At least eight scientific teams — comprising experts from Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, Regional Horticultural Research and Training Stations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the State Department of Horticulture — have been constituted. The teams will tour major apple-growing districts of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba and Mandi by February 19 to conduct field visits, farmer meetings and on-site demonstrations.
Senior scientist Dr Usha Sharma said, “Alternaria and Marssonina fungal diseases attack apple foliage under rising temperature and humidity, particularly during monsoon months of June to August. In recent years, these diseases have emerged as major threats across apple-producing regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, causing premature leaf fall, reduced fruit size and significant yield losses.”
Apple grower Hari Chand Rooch of Saroga village in Kotgarh told The Indian Express, “Farmers have suffered heavy losses over the past three years as these diseases spread rapidly when temperatures hover around 22°C to 28°C and high humidity during rains. Timely preventive sprays, quality fungicides and organic anti-fungal measures remain the only effective control.”
Experts said recent heavy snowfall in higher reaches has helped maintain essential soil moisture — critical to tree health — but warned that humid orchard microclimates later in the season could again favour fungal outbreaks.
In Shimla district alone, four teams began field outreach on Tuesday, covering areas such as Baghi, Ratnari, Kalbog, Sheelghat, Nakrari, Chiyog and Kandru, with visits to more villages scheduled over the coming week. Similar programmes were conducted in Nichar and Sungra in Kinnaur, Bharmour in Chamba, Garsa Valley in Kullu and Sangalwara in Mandi, with further visits lined up.
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