Leaf spot disease in arecanut: Field demonstrations on disease management to complete a year in June

With leaf spot disease in arecanut plantations remaining a major concern for growers, the three-year field demonstrations launched by two premier government institutes in Karnataka to guide farmers on how to manage the disease by adopting package of practices will complete a year this June.

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, and Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, took up field demonstrations covering 125 acres (50 hectares) of plantations in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru districts since June, 2025. The plantations are in 10 taluks of the four districts.

The CPCRI is conducting the demonstrations in 25 acres covering 21 farmers’ gardens at Nadugallu and Chanila in Sullia taluk and Kadirudyavara in Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada. Similarly, the demonstrations are in progress in over 25 acres in Sirsi and Siddapur taluks of Uttara Kannada.