A leaf miner infestation in the apple orchards of south Kashmir has left hundreds of growers distraught. The pest has been reported in many villages of the districts of Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama.
"It has affected more than half of my orchard", said an orchardist from Zainapora. He said that it was for the straight second year when the leaf miner had attacked their orchards. "There does not seem any let up in its infestation.”
According to experts, the leaf miner was reported in the Valley only three years ago. It tunnels its way into leaves, fruits, twigs and stems of the trees. According to them, it was first reported from the orchards located near the Advanced Centre for Horticulture Development (ACHD) in Zainpora Shopian.
Source: greaterkashmir.com