Date:13/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/13/stories/2008121359610800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Greengram crop afflicted in Tuticorin

Staff Reporter

Tuticorin: Yellow mosaic disease (YMV) is very common after the recent rains in the rainfed greengram grown in Ettayapuram and Kayathar blocks of Tuticorin district. The disease affects crop at early stages.

The symptoms are yellow specks or spots in leaves. At later stages, all the spots join together. Sometimes the leaves become papery white. T. Saravanan, plant pathologist of Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti, explained the symptoms to a group of farmers from

Avalnatham about the effects of this disease on the quality and yield of greengram grains. The diseased plants usually mature late and bear a few flowers and pods. The disease is caused by yellow mosaic virus.

The virus survives in self-sown plants, weed hosts and cultivated hosts. The disease spreads through white fly, a common insect. The virus also infects horse gram, pigeon pea (red gram) and soy bean.

V. Subramanian, Station Chief Scientist, told the farmers that the infected plants should be removed within 40 days of sowing to reduce its spread.

R. Ramamoorthy, Station Agricultural Entomologist, said that the field should be free from weeds. Periodical weeding is necessary. Some of the barrier crops like maize, bajra or sorghum are to be raised to reduce spread of the disease.

To control disease-spreading insects, spraying of monocrotophos at the rate of 500 ml per hectare after the initial appearance of the disease and at 15 (fifteen) days interval depending on the spread or severity is recommended.