Agriculture officers have recently visited corn farms affected by fungal infections in Kattaya, Hassan Taluk. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Hassan maize growers fear that they protect their crop from mold infection, commonly known as bili-suit. The leaves develop white fungal growth and with this growth of the plant stops.
According to a preliminary estimate, a crop was grown in more than 8,000 hectares in Hassan. The measures to solve its spread were not successful because the climate contributes to infection. According to officers, these diseases were also reported in Periyapatna and HD Kote from the Mysurus district.
Corn is one of the main crops in Hassan. Most small and marginal farmers cultivate this approximately 120 -day crop both in the kharif and rabbi. By spending about 15,000 to 18,000 GBP, they gain up to 22 meters of return.
Given the predominant market rate, which is about 2,200 GBP as Quinttal, they are sure of good returns. “This time we will have zero returns. Infected plants do not grow and there will be no corn. The money spent on seeds, sowing and fertilizer goes to waste,” said Vijay, farmer in Kattaya in Hassan Taluk.
Member of Hassan Lok Sabha Shreyas M. Patel organized an appointment with officers on this matter on Monday. He ordered them to spread awareness among farmers on measures to prevent infection. Officers of the Agriculture Department visited the field and communicated with farmers.
P. Ramesh Kumar, a common director of agriculture, said Hindu that fungal infection was usually either a disease transmitted by seeds or soil. However, most farmers used treated seeds. “The disease could also be transmitted in the soil. If the fungus remains in the ground for several years, it grows when there is a congenital environment. This time we have reports of an infection of about 8,000 hectares,” he said.
The officer felt that continuous cultivation of the same crop could be one of the reasons for the disease. “In Hassan, most farmers are repeatedly grown. They grow the same crop for Rabi and Kharifa. Perhaps because farmers are provided with yields, unlike other crops,” he lean.
Officers proposed to farmers suitable medicines.
Published – 10 June 2025 20:49
