Bandipora,:In view of the recent hailstorm that affected several areas of district Bandipora, the Department of Horticulture Bandipora has issued an advisory for orchardists regarding preventive and management measures for fruit crops to minimize post-hailstorm losses.
According to the advisory, orchardists cultivating apple and pear crops have been advised to spray any of the recommended fungicides including Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole 75 WG @ 40g per 100 litres of water, Zineb (68%) + Hexaconazole (4%) 72 WP @ 125g per 100 litres of water, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% (75% WP) @ 250g per 100 litres of water, Propineb 70% WP @ 300g per 100 litres of water, Mancozeb 75% WP @ 300g per 100 litres of water, or Zineb 75% WP @ 300g per 100 litres of water.
The advisory further stated that after a gap of three days, orchardists may spray Urea @ 0.2% (200g per 100 litres of water) or spray NPK @ 2g per litre of water after 3–5 days to support recovery and improve plant health.
Similarly, growers of cherry, apricot, plum and peach crops have been advised to spray Carbendazim 50 WP @ 50g per 100 litres of water, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% (75% WP) @ 250g per 100 litres of water, or Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP @ 50g per 100 litres of water.
The Department also urged orchardists to remove fallen leaves and ensure proper drainage in orchards to avoid water stagnation and secondary infections.
The advisory has been issued in the public interest for the welfare of fruit growers across the district.
