Fungal wilt infection damages virichipoo crop in Tiruchi

The Hindu

28-04-2025

Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease, has been reported in Ixora (commonly known as virichipoo) plantations in parts of Tiruchi district, causing crop damage and raising concerns among farmers about loss of yield.
Over 50 hectares of virichipoo are cultivated in Srirangam and Manachanallur taluks. Farmers say the infection is rapidly spreading from one plant to another, affecting flowering and overall yield, especially during the current season.
P. Gopalakrishnan, a farmer from Vayalur, says he lost nearly half of his plants to the disease this summer. 'This is the peak flowering season for us. Following last month's sporadic rain, we started noticing the disease, which typically appears after such weather conditions and gradually spreads to healthy plants, reducing the yield.'
Last week, a team of experts, including Murugan, Assistant Director of Horticulture (ADH), Manikandam block, P. Yasodha, Associate Professor of Entomology, and V.K. Sathya, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, visited the affected fields in several villages and identified the infection as fusarium wilt. The team collected samples and issued advisories to farmers for disease management.
As part of the recommendations, farmers have been advised to apply Carbendazim (2 g per litre) near the root zone of infected plants for managing the fungal wilt. For root knot nematode management, they have been instructed to apply Pochonia chlamydosporia at 6 ml per tree.
Meanwhile, N. Rajendran of Tamil Maanila Congress has urged the government and agriculture research bodies to conduct a detailed study on the recurring nature of the disease, particularly after intermittent rainfall, and to provide feasible long-term solutions to prevent future outbreaks.