Unusual fruit drop in Shopian orchards; growers suspect fungicide

Shopian, Jun 18: Anxiety has gripped apple-growing villages of south Kashmir’s Shopian district after orchardists reported an unusual and significant fruit drop in their orchards, with many growers suspecting a recently used fungicide may be linked to the damage.
The incident has raised concerns over the quality and safety of agrochemicals being used during the crucial fruit development stage.
The affected growers belong mainly to Sugoo, Handhama and adjoining areas, where large quantities of apples began falling from trees within days of pesticide and fungicide applications. Several farmers fear the losses could severely affect this season’s harvest and their annual income.
“We have never witnessed such a large-scale fruit drop in recent years,” an orchardist from Sugoo said. “The fruits were developing normally, but after the spray application, they started falling continuously. In some portions of the orchard, nearly half of the crop has been lost.”
Another grower from Handhama expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the cause of the damage. “We invest lakhs of rupees every year on sprays, fertilisers, and orchard management. If the chemicals themselves become a threat to our crop, it will be devastating for farmers,” he said.
According to complaints submitted by orchardists, several affected orchards had been treated with a Mancozeb-based fungicide along with other plant protection chemicals during May and early June. Farmers alleged that the fruit drop was noticed shortly after the sprays were applied, prompting them to seek intervention from the Horticulture Department.
Acting on the complaints, officials from the Horticulture Department, including the Horticulture Development Officers of Imam Sahib and Zainapora, accompanied by representatives of the Pesticide Association Shopian, conducted a field inspection of the affected orchards.
During the inspection, officials documented spray schedules followed by different orchardists. In one case, an orchardist had applied Super M45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) along with Thiamethoxam on May 17, followed by Difenoconazole and Propineb on June 4. Another grower had used Super M45 and Thiamethoxam on May 19, while a third orchardist applied the same combination on May 18 and later sprayed Calcium Chloride and Antracol on June 3. Officials noted that an unusual fruit drop was observed in all the inspected orchards.
A farmer present during the inspection said, “We only used the products recommended by dealers and commonly used by orchardists. We hope the authorities identify the actual cause quickly and ensure compensation if defective chemicals are found responsible.”
The inspection team also visited the pesticide dealer from whom the product was purchased. However, officials found no remaining stock of the suspected fungicide at the premises. The department later learned that samples of the product had already been collected from the Kachdoora area by the district enforcement wing and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Officials informed growers that the sale of the suspected product has been stopped across the district as a precautionary measure until test results become available.
The Horticulture Department has advised orchardists across Shopian to refrain from using the fungicide in question until scientific investigations are completed.
In an official communication, the Horticulture Development Officer recommended that experts from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) visit the affected orchards and collect fruit and leaf samples for detailed examination to determine whether the chemical application contributed to the observed damage.
Officials said that no direct connection between the fungicide and the fruit drop has been established so far and that conclusions can only be drawn after laboratory testing and scientific assessment.
However, growers have urged authorities to expedite the investigation, arguing that delays could increase uncertainty among farmers at a critical stage of the apple-growing season.
“We need answers as soon as possible,” said another orchardist. “Thousands of families in Shopian depend on apple cultivation. The sooner the cause is identified, the sooner farmers can take preventive measures and protect the remaining crop.” (KNO)