Snail infestations are damaging areca nut crops in Haveri, threatening growth and yield amid heavy rains.
Haveri
The areca nut crop in the taluk, which was hit by rot due to continuous rains, is now being attacked by snails, leaving the growers in a state of panic.
Areca nut has emerged as the major commercial crop in Hanagal taluk in recent years, overtaking mango. Areca nut is cultivated on 25,000 acres of land.
Due to the incessant rains, snail infestation has been observed in the areca nut plantations near Kopparasikoppa, which is adjacent to the forest area. The growth of the two to three year old areca nut plants is stunted and gradually deteriorating.
Worms moving upwards from the base are eating away at the shoot tips of the plant. This causes the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to gradually wither.
Ranganatha Akkivalli’s garden has been plagued by snails for about two months. Several control measures have been taken. However, the threat of snails is not absent in the moist soil.
“I have been cultivating areca nut in an area of 3 acres for two years. There was no snail infestation before. This year, the GTGT rains have caused a severe infestation. This pest becomes a nuisance when the humidity increases during the rainy season,” said farmer Ranganath.
Assistant Horticulture Officer Mrityunjaya Hiremath visited and inspected the orchards where the worm infestation was observed. Snails attack the soft parts of the plant. These worms have the habit of scratching and eating the plant. Snails have been found in places in the taluk, he said.
Rice husks should be mixed with maida flour and chlorpyrifos paste and kept like biscuits. The worms will eat this and die. Snails kill biscuits should also be kept to attract the worms. After the worm infestation is under control, Jeevamrit should be given to strengthen the plants, said Assistant Horticulture Officer Mrityunjaya.
