In arecanut-growing areas of Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts of Karnataka, and Kasaragod district of Kerala, India, farmers are confronted with a sudden flare-up of arecanut leaf spot disease emerging as a severe incidence affecting productivity and loss of arecanut palms. It is confirmed by morphological and genetic investigation that the fungus Colletotrichum is the cause of this serious LSD outbreak. The Institute issued the following set of ad hoc recommendations for disease control:

Phytosanitation: Removal and burning of severely infected leaves wherever possible.

Fungicides: First round of spraying with Propiconazole 25% EC (1 ml per litre of water) or Tebuconazole (1 ml per litre) or Hexaconazole (1 ml per litre) followed by spraying with Propineb 70% WP (2 g per litre of water) at 25-30 days interval. Note: Sticker or gum may be added after the preparation of fungicidal solution @ 100-200 ml per 200 litres of water.

Community approach: Community-level spraying should be adopted for the effective management of the disease. Movement of planting materials from diseased areas should be strictly avoided.

Nutrient management: Soil-test-based balanced nutrient management should strictly be followed to maintain the healthy status and quick rejuvenation of the palms.

Further, a committee was constituted to answer the farmers queries through mobile phones to reach out farmers of different localities effectively.

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