Telangana: Die-back Disease Killing Neem Trees?

Telangana | Hyderabad, Dec 13 (Maxim News): Neem trees across the state are drying up in what is suspected to be an outbreak of a fungus suspected to cause “die-back disease”, causing dismay and triggering an alarm among people.

Keeping in view that the similar infections were reported from several parts of the state, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) has now constituted a Special Committee to inspect, assess the situation and initiate measures accordingly.

The Committee has already inspected several areas, including the Agricultural Research Institute in Rajendranagar in September, where a high incidence of infection in Neem trees was noticed.

Telangana: Neem Trees

However, the Agricultural scientists assure that there was nothing to worry and are confident that the impact of the fungus would diminish on its own thereby leading to rejuvenation of the trees.

Scientists are busy trying to establish whether the ongoing wilting and drying was indeed die-back disease. But they advised people not to chop off the trees believing them to be dead as there is every possibility of the trees rejuvenating themselves.

They also cautioned against using any pesticides and fungicides to check the ongoing wilting.

Many areas in Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Wanaparthy, Gadwal, Nagar Kurnool, Karimnagar, Warangal and other districts have been inspected and mapping is being taken up extensively to create awareness among farmers. The scientists say excess rainfall and high humidity during August and September lead to this problem. The infected neem plants showed different symptoms like complete wilting, drying of the entire tree, drying of twigs and gummosis, Professor Jagadeeshwar from PJTSAU said. (Maxim News)

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