Combating disease: Experts ask growers to protect mangoes
Two kinds of mango malformation affect plants, including botanical malformation that attacks branches of new plants while flower malformation attacks flowers. PHOTO: FILE
Agricultural experts have advised growers to tackle mango malformation diseases properly to ensure a high-quality yield of the exotic fruit.
Two kinds of mango malformation affect plants, including botanical malformation that attacks branches of new plants while flower malformation attacks flowers, said a press release issued by the media liaison unit of the Punjab agriculture department.
The disease shortens the leaf size and gives it a pointed shape. In case of an attack on three to four-month-old nursery plants, the branches dry up within a few months.
Attack on plants above the age of three to four months does affect the diseased portion, however, the upper portion continues to grow. However, growth and flower formation stops in case of an intense attack.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2013.