Mold alarm in vineyards

Since the agricultural fight could not start early due to sudden rain, the downy mildew disease seen in the vineyards will negatively affect the production and yield in Manisa, the grape center of Turkey.

Manisa, where 70 percent of the country’s grape production, which averages 4 million tons a year, is produced, received heavy rains in June as the fight against moisture-related fungal diseases of grapevines was underway.

Due to irregular and unexpected heavy rains, the agricultural fight could not be carried out and the downy mildew disease began in the vineyards. Mildew, which is a fungal disease, became effective over a large area, especially between Saruhanlı and Sarıgöl districts, when it was spread by wind. Downy mildew, which experts define as an “epidemic,” is forecast to cause yield losses in the region.

Saruhanlı Chamber of Agriculture Chairman Aydoğan Okur said that mold disease is a disaster like agricultural frost and hail damage.

DUE TO THE HEAVY RAIN, THE PESTICIDE CANNOT BE CARRIED OUT

Stating that they constantly receive information about the disease from the field, Okur said, “Since the region received heavy rain during the pesticide season, the farmer was unable to enter the vineyard and apply pesticides. Because of this, various diseases arose. Then the agricultural struggle began, but it was not effective due to the delay”. he said.

Okur stated that downy mildew is the most serious disease of grapes after the cluster moth.

Explaining that they held meetings with the heads of agricultural chambers from 7 intensively grape-producing districts about the disease, which is common in the region, and made some decisions, Okur said:

“This is also a disaster. We will transmit the decisions we have made to the regional deputies in this regard. We will ask them to report this to the ministry, to our government. Here, we demand that the farmer’s existing debts be postponed and additional credit be given for this loss. Because our costs have increased a lot. The heavy rain and the heat that followed caused this disease in the vineyards.”

The president of the Salihli Chamber of Agriculture, Cem Yalvaç, also pointed out that the disease will reduce yields.

Stating that the disease spreads quickly, Yalvaç said: “For example, when you look at your vineyard on Monday morning, there is no disease, but when you look again the next day, the grapes are black. Unfortunately, our vineyards are bad this year. This will be the case next year as well, these ties will not be fruitful for at least 2-3 years.” he used his statements.

THERE WILL BE LOSSES OF PRODUCT

Agronomist Ziya Duraşıllı said the rains in mid-June triggered the disease.

Emphasizing that the vineyards were severely affected by rainfall and wet weather, Duraşlı said, “Despite the pesticides, the disease continued to progress. In this epidemic there were losses of up to 30 percent even in our citizens who fumigated every 3 days. We see this disease in a wide region of Manisa, there will be yield losses in vineyards due to this disease in the region from Saruhanlı, Ahmetli, Salihli to Sarıgöl.” saying.

Salihlili grape grower Selahattin Akcan also noted that despite the spraying, some vineyards do not have even a ton of edible produce. (AA)