On Farm Testing and Popularization of Integrated Management Module of Apple Root Rot Under High Altitude Temperate Conditions

White root rot caused by Dematophora necatrix is the major threat to apple in Kashmir valley especially in south Kashmir. The moist conditions of the orchards, faulty irrigation system and conversion of paddy fields into orchards were the factors found giving fillip to the disease in the area. To test and popularize the university recommended integrated disease management (IDM) module for apple root rot management, On farm research trials (OFT's) were conducted during the kharif season of 2007–2008 in farmers participatory mode at three locations in the high altitude area of south Kashmir of Jammu and Kashmir. The experiment consisted of two treatments viz., recommended practice (Pruning of rotted roots and pasting of cut ends with a disinfectant paste + proper drainage + adding more organic matter + Basin irrigation system + drenching with carbendazim 50 WP @0.1%) and farmers practice (which varied from location to location however, exposing the roots of affected plants to sunlight was common). The recommended practice (RP) recorded 56.6 per cent recovery percentage as against 1.66 per cent in farmers practice (FP). Survey conducted during 2010 in 40 villages of district Anantnag and Kulgam on the impact of awareness/training programmes on IDM of apple root rot revealed that out of 81 affected orchards, 60 were treated with RP which showed recovery of 51.6 per cent.