SRINAGAR: The Department of Horticulture Bandipora has issued an advisory for orchardists across the district following the recent hailstorm that affected several areas, recommending immediate preventive measures to minimise losses and protect fruit crops from secondary infections.
According to the advisory, orchardists cultivating apple and pear crops have been advised to spray any of the recommended fungicides, including Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole 75 WG, Zineb + Hexaconazole 72 WP, Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75 WP, Propineb 70 WP, Mancozeb 75 WP, or Zineb 75 WP, at prescribed concentrations to prevent fungal infections and crop damage.
The department further advised growers to undertake follow-up sprays after three days using Urea at 0.2 per cent or NPK at 2 grams per litre of water after three to five days to aid plant recovery and improve overall crop health.
For growers of cherry, apricot, plum and peach crops, the advisory recommends spraying Carbendazim 50 WP, Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75 WP, or Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP at specified dosages to prevent disease outbreaks following the hailstorm.
The department also urged orchardists to remove fallen leaves and maintain proper drainage in orchards to avoid water stagnation and reduce the risk of secondary infections.
Officials said the advisory has been issued in the public interest to safeguard fruit crops and support growers in mitigating post-hailstorm damage across the district.
