SRINAGAR: The Horticulture Department in Bandipora has issued an advisory for orchardists following a recent hailstorm in parts of the district, recommending preventive fungicidal and nutritional sprays to protect affected fruit crops.
Officials said orchardists growing apple and pear have been advised to apply any one of the recommended fungicides, including Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole 75 WG, Zineb + Hexaconazole 72 WP, Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75 WP, Propineb 70 percent WP or Mancozeb 75 percent WP, in prescribed concentrations.
For stone fruits such as cherry, apricot, plum and peach, the department has recommended fungicides including Carbendazim 50 WP, Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75 WP, or Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP, depending on crop requirement.
The advisory further recommends a follow-up spray of 0.2 per cent urea solution three days after fungicide application to support recovery and encourage new growth in apple orchards. A micronutrient spray has also been advised after 8–12 days to aid tissue repair.
Orchardists have been instructed to remove fallen leaves, fruits and twigs, prevent water stagnation in orchards, and carry out spraying during early morning or evening hours under dry and cool conditions.
The department added that if a systemic fungicide was applied 2–3 days before the hailstorm, further application should be delayed by 4–5 days to avoid over-treatment.
