The Hindu Business Line : Rain, pests likely to hit mango yield in AP

Heavy rains from August to November last have resulted in vegetative growth and flowering is delayed in most of the mango-growing districts. The crop has also witnessed pest and diseases attack in several places, contributing to the yield losses.

As a result, mango production in the State is likely to come down by 10-15 per cent, sources in the Horticulture Department told Business Line.

40 per cent loss

Officials estimated that there might be a 60 per cent yield loss in Karimnagar and Nalgonda districts. Krishna district, one of the important mango growing areas in the State, might report a yield loss of 40 per cent due to the thrips attack.

It was for the second successive season that the mango farmers have suffered a serious setback. In 2004, around the same time, unprecedented rains and hailstorm in several places led to loss of crop in 2,000 hectares. This was preceded by a strong bout of gales in January that year in Krishna district, seriously affecting the fruit-setting phase.

The latest reports indicate a total damage of crop in 6,300 hectares across the State. Karimnagar, with a damage of crop in 4,873 hectares, and Nalgonda with 893 hectares, suffered most this season. Unconfirmed reports put the figures still high.

Thrips attack

Reports from Chittoor said about 10 per cent of mango crop in the district was attacked by mango hoppers/thrips and anthracnose.

A senior horticulture scientist admitted that there was thrips/mite infestation up to three per cent in some areas. Left unattended before 40 days of fruit setting, it might result in the loss of tenderness on the skin. This, in turn, meant fall in the rate.

The officials, however, said that the department had taken up damage control exercise to minimise the losses. "We have organised training programmes on various best practices, besides publicising on pest and disease controls," they said.

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