ADVERTISEMENT

Scientists issue health warning of looming mango disease

A Plant Pathologist at Crop Research Institute, Atta Kwesi Aidoo, said the disease has the tendency of spreading very fast if nothing is done about it.

A Plant Pathologist at Crop Research Institute, Atta Kwesi Aidoo, who spoke to Kumasi-based Luv FM said the disease has the tendency of spreading very fast.

According to him, this disease is a major threat to mango plantations in Ghana.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Mycologist at Crop Research Institute, Zippora Appiah-Kubi, also added that the disease has been in the country for the past 7 years.

“In Ghana, it was first detected in Tamale in 2010. Since then, the disease has been spreading southwards.”

The disease kept moving southward and reached Dodowa and Somanya in the Eastern region in 2015.

“Farmers should check for the symptoms of the disease in other mango growing areas in the southern sector and report same to the CSIR-CRI,” Appiah-Kubi cautioned.

ADVERTISEMENT

The outbreak this year started in Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo region.

A team of Scientists led by Godfried Ohene-Mensah of the Plant Health Division of CSIR-CRI took 32 mango farmers through the management practice for effective BBS control in the region since the outbreak.

The CSIR-CRI recommended that the farmers use disease-free seedlings available at the facility in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Kintampo Mango Farmers Association has called on the government to ensure that the disease is brought under control.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT