Now Reading: New pest attacks poplar, willow trees in Kashmir
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New pest attacks poplar, willow trees in Kashmir
A new sap-sucking insect, Drosicha turkistanica, has been reported attacking poplar and willow trees in south Kashmir, raising concerns among farmers and scientists about the lack of quarantine for planting material entering the Valley. The pest weakens trees and can cause them to wither in severe infestations, according to Bashir Ahmad Rather, a professor at the Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani.
Farmers said the infestation was first noticed in Kulgam and has since spread to other parts of southern Kashmir. Poplar cultivation is a key source of income for many locals, said farmer Gulam Nabi from Arwani. The outbreak follows the earlier spread of the apple leaf miner in Kashmir's orchards, which was linked to the import of high-density apple varieties from countries including Italy and the United States.
Apple farmer Tariq Ahmad from Shopian said private distributors are not following standard operating procedures, forcing growers to use additional pesticide sprays and raising production costs. Experts called for stronger quarantine measures and closer monitoring of all planting material entering the region to prevent further pest introductions.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Kashmir's horticulture sector, worth thousands of crores annually, relies heavily on imports of high-yielding plant varieties. The apple leaf miner and now Drosicha turkistanica show the gap between the demand for improved stock and the enforcement of quarantine laws under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has the power to set up inspection points at entry routes, but farmers allege these are routinely bypassed. The real cost will be visible in the next growing season: if the leaf miner and the new sap-sucking pest combine, apple and poplar yields could drop sharply, raising prices for consumers and squeezing small growers who cannot afford extra pesticide sprays. Watch for any official quarantine audit or import ban on specific nursery stock in the coming weeks.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
