(a) whether arecanut trees have been affected with disease in the State of Karnataka;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any Research institute has been entrusted to know the cause of the disease; and
(d) if so, the results thereof and the action taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As per information received from State of Karnataka, arecanut trees have
been affected by phytoplasma, bacterial and fungal diseases namely yellow leaf disease, Koleroga
or Mahali, bud rot and crown rot, inflorescence dieback, leaf spot, button shedding and foot
rot. These diseases occur whenever conducive climatic conditions are prevalent in the arecanut
growing areas.
(c) & (d): The Regional Station Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Vittal is
exclusively working on these diseases. The Institute has recommeded following control measures
against the stated diseases.:
(i) Koleroga or Mahali: Spray of 1 % Bordeaux mixture 2 times at 45 days interval.
(ii) Bud rot and Crown rot: Spray of 1 % Bordeaux mixture and application of Bordeaux paste to
the crown. Drenching of base of palms with 0.3 % tridemorph or 0.3 % phosphoric acid (3 ml/l)
against crown rot.
(iii) Inflorescence dieback and Button shedding: Spray of Indofil M-45 @ 3 gm /l or Dithane Z-
78 @ 4g/l.
(iv) Leaf spot: Spray of 0.3 % Dithane M-45 (3 g/l of water).
(v) Foot rot: Basin of palms be given 0.3 % Calixin (3ml/l) @ 4 liter /palm plus root
feeding of 1.5 % Culixin (15 ml/l) @ 125 ml/palm at quarterly intervals. Application of
2 kg neem cake/palm/year and applcation of green leaf & Farm Yard Manure @ 15-20 Kg/palm/
year, is also recommended.
(vi) Yellow Leaf Disease: Adoption of integrated crop management technology which include,
interalia, balanced nutrient management, green manuring, optimum irrigation and proper
drainage, removal of affected palms, etc., is recommended.