Growers of citrus fruits apprehensive of trunk borer attack

Itanagar, Sep 5 (PTI) Growers of citrus fruits inArunachal Pradesh are apprehensive that trunk borers arelikely to spoil their orchards, a report published by thedistrict Information and Public Relations officer, statedtoday. According to the survey made under ‘Rural HorticultureWork Experience’, a team of students from College ofHorticulture, Pasighat in East Siang district visited 20citrus orchards and found that at least three out of everyfive plants were infested with citrus trunk borers in Miremand adjoining villages like Miglung, Bilat and Ledum. This insect is very common in North East region. It boresnear the base of the trunk and makes easy access inside theplant and lay their eggs. It makes zigzag galleries beneath the bark and tunnelinto the trunk or main stem, and as a result feed on theinternal tissues. The attacked branches wither away and die,the report said. Proper awareness campaign is the need of the hour tosensitise the growers, it said. As an immediate step, covering the tree trunks with whitelatex paint can prevent the bark from splitting and crackingoff, the team suggested in its observation. However, it will be wise if the growers survey theirorchards and take opinion and help from the experts, thereport added. PTI UPL CRSRY