Kole Roga | Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF Download

• • The arecanut palm is the source of common chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari.
  • In India it is extensively used by large sections of people and is very much linked with religious practices.

• India is the largest producer of arecanut and at the same time largest consumer also.
• Major states cultivating this crop are Karnataka (40%), Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and West Bengal

• • The cultivation of arecanut is mostly confined to 28º north and south of the equator. It grows well within the temperature range of 14ºC and 36ºC and is adversely affected by temperatures below 10ºC and above 40ºC.
  • Extremes of temperature and wide diurnal variations are not conducive for the healthy growth of the palms. Arecanut can be grown in areas receiving annual rainfall of 750 mm in Maidan parts of Karnataka to 4,500 mm in Malnad areas of Karnataka.
  • In areas where there is prolonged dry spell, the palms are irrigated. Due to its susceptibility to low temperature, a good crop of arecanut cannot be obtained at an altitude of more than 1000 m MSL
  • Kole roga or Mahali is a major disease of arecanut causing serious losses.
  • The pathogen is a fungus Phytophthora palmivora.
  • Spraying the bunches with 1% Bordeaux mixture before monsoon followed by another spray after 45 days is effective in preventing the disease.

• • Covering the bunches with polythene bags is an effective alternate method of control
  • the disease was now severe in between 30% and 60% of the plantations in KARNATAKA
  • official estimates, the disease is widespread in about 50% of the plantations
  • April itself, arecanut palms and plantations had moisture content even before the onset of monsoon.
  • As the intensity of rains did not come down, many farmers were not able to spray the usual first round of prophylactic solutions in the last week of May or the first week of June to prevent the disease.
  • Though the farmers did take up the first round of spraying in July, the disease could not be controlled

• falling between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000 a day — for climbing palms to manually spray the solution, along with a lack of skilled labourers, had forced farmers to delay the first round of spraying.
• Deputy Commissioner, the district recorded an average rainfall of 4,002.5 mm till August 20 this year, against the normal of 3,249.6 mm for the first eight months of the year.
• During the corresponding period last year, the district received 2,282.6 mm of rain
• Follow phytosanitary measures such as removal of all dried and infected bunch of last season attached to the palm
• Spray one per cent Bordeaux mixture on the bunches before the on the set monsoon.
• Spray one per cent Bordeaux mixture: The initial spray is to be done immediately after the onset of monsoon showers and the second spray after an interval of 40 to 45 days. If the monsoon prevails than third spray to be given.

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