Piti pus hits Rambuttan cultivation

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Rambuttan cultivators in the Southern Province have to face difficulties as their crops have been affected by a fungal disease called Piti Pus in which the fruit gets covered with a downy mildew. Farmers have lost their harvest as a result

Because of this disease rambuttan wither, become blackish and fall down. According to farmers, there are similarities between mealy bug and Piti Pus diseases.

Fruit Crop Research and Development Centre, Kananwila, Horana, Research Officer H.D. Jayawickrama said this disease spreads as trees don't receive adequatelight and air.

It is necessary to provide light and air to the trees and spray sulphur (Gendagam) to trees to avoid the disease.