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Killing virus attacks pineapple cultivation in India
India
Tuesday 22 May 2007
The pineapple cultivation at Bidhannagar has been hit by a mysterious disease. The disease has already affected more than 10 per cent pineapple cultivation and is spreading fast.
According to the pineapple growers, the mysterious disease is infecting the crop right after the flowering stage. As a result, the upper part of the pineapple, including the crown, gradually gets crooked, followed by a subsequent taint on the fruit. The taint ultimately leads to the decay of the whole fruit.
Pineapple growers across Bidhannagar are facing the same crisis, as 10 to 15 percent of the total pineapple cultivation there has already been marred by the infection.
The district horticultural officials visited some of the affected cultivation areas last week and collected samples of infected pineapples. However, they too failed to identify the disease.
"We have sent the pineapple samples to the plant pathology wing of the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswabidyalaya, Pundibari, for diagnosis. The samples were forwarded on 14 May and we are expecting the report in a day or two," said Mr Nilesh Bhowmick, district horticultural officer in-charge, Siliguri.
Mr Bhowkick said the horticulture department was also upset with the development, as Bindhannagar is considered the "pineapple capital" of West Bengal.
As per a rough estimation, there are over 7.000 growers at Bidhannagar, who cultivate pineapple on about 9.000 hectares of land. The pineapple grown at Bidhannagar is being exported to many parts of the country.
According to the pineapple growers, the mysterious disease is infecting the crop right after the flowering stage. As a result, the upper part of the pineapple, including the crown, gradually gets crooked, followed by a subsequent taint on the fruit. The taint ultimately leads to the decay of the whole fruit.
Pineapple growers across Bidhannagar are facing the same crisis, as 10 to 15 percent of the total pineapple cultivation there has already been marred by the infection.
The district horticultural officials visited some of the affected cultivation areas last week and collected samples of infected pineapples. However, they too failed to identify the disease.
"We have sent the pineapple samples to the plant pathology wing of the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswabidyalaya, Pundibari, for diagnosis. The samples were forwarded on 14 May and we are expecting the report in a day or two," said Mr Nilesh Bhowmick, district horticultural officer in-charge, Siliguri.
Mr Bhowkick said the horticulture department was also upset with the development, as Bindhannagar is considered the "pineapple capital" of West Bengal.
As per a rough estimation, there are over 7.000 growers at Bidhannagar, who cultivate pineapple on about 9.000 hectares of land. The pineapple grown at Bidhannagar is being exported to many parts of the country.
