MAPUSA
Both the hybrid and local variety of chillies have been hit hard due to the scourge.
“We never came across a disease that affects chilli plants. We expected a good crop this year, but this virus has poured cold water on all our hard work,” complained Priya Bhagat, a farmer from Aldona, who had brought a large area under chilli cultivation.
Another chilli cultivator from Olaulim pointed out that the disease first stuck the hybrid variety, which then spread to the local variety.
“We feel there must be something wrong with the seedlings of the hybrid variety. It has disrupted the crop of local chillies too,” the
farmer said.
Leaf curl is a plant disease characterized by curling of leaves caused by a fungus. It is distinctive and easily noticeable due to its colour and
twisted shape.
Bardez Zonal Agriculture Officer Anant Hoble admitted that parts of Bardez have been affected by the disease.
“The chilli crop is doing relatively fine in areas along the seashore like in Saligao, Sangolda, Parra, etc. It’s mostly affected along the Moira, Aldona and Olaulim belt,” Hoble said.
He partly blamed the farmers for not managing the plantations as per the required specifications.
The ZAO observed that to maximize the yield, the farmers sow the seedlings very close to one another.
“The chilli plants should be spaced out and do not require too much water,” Hoble said.
He said the only way to reduce and control the disease was by spraying the plantations with bio-pesticides.
To avoid similar problems in future, the ZAO suggested that farmers should keep away from the present seedlings and opt for totally new seedlings. He also stressed that farmers should switch to organic fertilization and maintained the need of keeping enough space between two plants.
