More than 860 hectares of cassava are infected with mosaic disease.

According to information from the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, up to now, the whole province has planted 11,000 hectares of cassava, reaching 104.7% of the plan. The main variety planted is KM94 (over 90%) and a few other varieties such as STB1, DT4... However, through field surveys, the whole province currently has more than 860 hectares of cassava infected with mosaic disease, of which 184 hectares are severely infected, nearly 760 hectares higher than in 2023. Concentrated mainly in the districts of Hai Lang, Vinh Linh, Trieu Phong, Gio Linh, Dakrong and Quang Tri town. The disease rate is common from 5% - 10%, high in some places from 30% - 40%, locally the infection rate is up to 70% - 90%.

According to Tran Minh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in 2024, cassava mosaic disease tends to increase, causing damage in many places. The main reason is that people use diseased cuttings to plant new plants instead of buying disease-free seeds to plant. In previous years, some localities had policies to support people to buy disease-free seeds, but this year, there is no longer any policy. People do not reinvest in the new crop but take advantage of local seeds, so the disease has arisen and caused damage in many places.

More than 860 hectares of cassava are infected with mosaic disease. Cassava plants infected with mosaic disease in Hai Chanh commune, Hai Lang district - Photo: LA

To proactively prevent cassava mosaic disease, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is strengthening propaganda and training farmers on how to recognize disease symptoms, transmission routes and prevention techniques. Instructing farmers in infected areas to collect all cassava residues and plants after harvest to burn and destroy them to destroy the source of the disease, not leaving diseased cassava residues in the fields or on the banks of the fields. Strengthening care and fertilization measures to help cassava plants grow well and increase their resistance to pests and diseases.

It is recommended that people absolutely do not save, buy or sell seeds from infected cassava growing areas for the next crop. At the same time, continue to monitor and evaluate disease-free seed areas and carry out breeding to provide seed sources for the following years.

Le An

Source