Mr. Shantha Bandara, Deputy Director of the Department of Export Agriculture, says that till now there has been no significant crop damage due to the rapidly spreading leaf fungus related to nutmeg cultivation.
He pointed out that there has been no damage to the crop at present, but if the disease is not controlled, significant crop damage may occur.
He made these comments while attending a press conference held yesterday (15) at the Department of Export Agriculture.
He also said that due to this fungal disease, the leaves of nutmeg are falling and the application of fungicides has already started to control this infection.
The Deputy Director said that this disease has been widely reported in Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Poojapitiya Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Kandy district and the primary symptoms are tree death followed by leaf fall and fall of novel nutmeg nuts.
Spread in Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala, Kegalle districts, this plantation has an area of 3000 hectares. He also stated that there will be an annual yield of 2500 metric tons.
Accordingly, Deputy Director Shanta Bandara said that fungicides should be applied to nutmeg plantations and further advice can be obtained from the Export Agriculture Officer of the area.
