Geochang-gun Urges Prompt Reporting of Suspected Fire Blight Symptoms in Fruit Trees

Fire Blight Disease on Fruit Trees Photo

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, has designated the period from the 24th of last month to November 4th as an intensive period to block the inflow of fire blight disease and is conducting surveillance in the county while urging farmers to conduct self-surveillance of apple and pear orchards in the area.

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that mainly occurs in apples and pears. Symptoms in the late growing season (October to November) include browning of leaf petioles and veins, wilting of surrounding leaves, and branch cankers.

Currently, there is no cure for fire blight, and due to its occurrence, fruit trees cannot be cultivated in the affected area for three years, causing significant damage to farmers as it is a fatal disease.

To prevent fire blight, farmers should conduct self-surveillance during the cultivation period and immediately report any symptoms of fire blight to the Fruit Tree Fire Blight Countermeasure Situation Room at the Agricultural Technology Center.

Farmers should strictly adhere to the following: disinfect individuals and tools before and after farm work and during movement (using 70% alcohol or detergent diluted 20 times), manage farm work movement and work history, and prohibit workers from external areas (especially regions where fire blight has occurred) from operating within the county.

County Governor Gu In-mo stated, “Since fire blight prevention is crucial, we ask farmers to actively conduct surveillance and comply with quarantine rules to block the inflow of pathogens.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.