E-Paper
Allahabadi Safeda on the wane
Falling prey to guava wilt disease, Allahabadi Safeda is slowly disappearing from the market. However, multiple attempts to save this typical variety of guava, which is the identity of the city, has brought in positive results.
Falling prey to guava wilt disease, Allahabadi Safeda is slowly disappearing from the market. However, multiple attempts to save this typical variety of guava, which is the identity of the city, has brought in positive results.
"Farmers have been misguided. They are instructed to prune the entire tree in order to save this fruit from the disease. Few actually know that this disease is soil borne, so any kind of pruning and cutting will not be effective," said Prof Dinanath Shukla of Botany Department, Allahabad University.
"This disease is caused by the pathogen Fusarium which is a fungus and causes vascular diseases in plants. It enters the plant through roots and attacks the xylem vessels which turn brown. It plugs the vessels and stops the upward movement of water and thus the plant wilts.
The mycelium clog the vessel and often the fungus produces toxins which dissolves the xylem tissue," said Prof Shukla.
According to Prof Shukla, this pathogen is very complex and three types of spores namely macroconedia, microconedia and clamydospores occur. "After much study,
I found that the pathogen does not survive in moist condition. They survive in dry sandy loam soil. So it is better to consider the cure much earlier while planting the seedlings.
Green manuring should be started.
However, the easiest thing is to follow crop rotation. We could raise paddy crop along with the guava saplings. The paddy needs water to grow and thus the moisture will not allow the pathogen to thrive. Besides, there could be rotation with fodder crops for 2 to 3 years and this will tremendously help in the reduction of pathogen population," said Prof Shukla.
It should be noted that the 'Dwaba' area which is a popular guava growing belt is now following a typical trend.
"The farmers are now raising bananas instead of guavas. It needs more water and this has led to water crisis in the area," he said."Almost one-third of the guava orchards have been spoiled due to this disease and crop rotation is the best solution to fight it," he added.
