Chemical trial against rubber leaf spot disease successful – Research Institute

The Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute says that 80 percent of the chemical research carried out by the Institute has been successful in controlling the new circular leaf spot disease that is currently spreading in our country.

This leaf spot disease has now spread to Kalutara, Ratnapura as well as Monaragala and Ampara areas and many factors including this disease have affected the annual latex yield by 10 percent, said Sarojani Fernando of the Rubber Research Institute.

Dr. Fernando revealed these facts while addressing a media briefing held at the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry on Tuesday (27).

Due to the effect of a fungus, this disease infects the leaves of the rubber tree and the food production process of the rubber tree is disabled due to this. As a result, the production of latex is hampered. Currently, this disease is found in many countries in the Asian region. But so far no remedy has been found for this.

However, out of more than 10 researches conducted on this disease, one chemical research has achieved 80 percent success.

Dr. Fernando also stated that this research has been tested in the field and that it will be made available to all rubber growers for rubber cultivation in our country next year.

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the success of this research conducted by the Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute is an international achievement for our country.

The post Chemical trial against rubber leaf spot disease successful – Research Institute appeared first on DailyNews.