Codling moth hits orchards in parts of Kashmir, leaves farmers concerned

Codling moth, one of the most notorious insect pests of apples, has been reported in several parts of Kashmir amid the bloom season leaving the farmers concerned.

As per officials the disease has affected apple orchards in several parts of Kashmir including Baramulla, Bandipora, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Budgam.

As per farmers, the disease has been affecting the apple orchards for some three years but it was not identified and now the farmers are worried. Altaf Ahmad, a farmer of Baramulla said the pest has direct as well as indirect effects on the fruit.

″We have already suffered huge losses last year as the rate was down. This year our orchard has been hit by codling moth. It was not there last year,″ he said.

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella L) is one of the most notorious insect pests of apples, distributed widely in all apple growing areas. It causes tremendous loss in yield due to direct fruit damage. If left unchecked, the extent of infestation may be up to 80% in apples.

Iqbal Ahmad, a farmer from Sonwari, Bandipora said the horticulture department should issue an advisory and inform farmers about do's and don’ts. He also appealed to people to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.

The farmers appealed to the horticulture department and SKUAST-K to take measures and study the life cycle of the pest that will help to kill it and prevent it from further spreading to save other apple orchards.

Experts said codling moths have the greatest potential for damage as an apple pest yet it can be effectively controlled with properly timed treatments. It causes different types of fruit damage, sting, deep and calyx entries.

Dr Tariq Rasool, Associate Professor Plant Pathology at SKUAST-K, said the pest has been reported in the many areas in Kashmir amid bloom and there are chances that the disease will spread further.

″Insecticides and pesticides could be helpful and pest traps can also work. Farmers should seek the advice of experts for the treatment of the disease,″ he said.

The horticulture department has been receiving calls from farmers who have expressed their concern over the codling moth disease in their orchards.

Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ghulam Rasool Mir said that the department has been receiving distressed calls from farmers from different areas of Kashmir and they will issue a comprehensive advisory soon in this regard.

″Yesterday, we visited Kreeri in Baramulla where codling moths have affected some apple orchards. We requested the Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K and they sent their experts to the affected orchard,″ he said.

The director said the disease attacks flowers in the budding stage which will affect the further growth of the fruit in the later time. ″It will cause damage if it is not controlled at the appropriate time,″ he said.