Gyeonggi Agricultural Research Institute Issues Fire Blight Warning for Orchards Ahead of Heavy Rainfall

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services urged the prevention of fire blight in orchards across the province ahead of the heavy rain.

Gyeonggi Province has urged the prevention of 'fire blight' in orchards ahead of the heavy rains.

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services explained that as of June 26, fire blight occurred in 18 hectares across 49 farms in 8 cities and counties within the province, and currently 46 farms covering 17 hectares have been buried and disposed of.

Fire blight is a disease that affects over 180 species of Rosaceae plants, including apples and pears, causing leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits to turn brown as if scorched by fire and then wither and die.

The disease can spread to other trees through farming tools such as saws, pruning shears, boots, and gloves. It is a plant quarantine bacterial disease for which there is no cure.

Farmers cultivating apples and pears should manage water flow before the rainy season to prevent rainwater from flowing into other orchards, rice paddies, or fields. Entering the orchard during or immediately after rain can cause cross-infection of fire blight through tools or work clothes, so it is essential to disinfect and enter only after the rain has stopped and rainwater has drained from the orchard.

When humidity remains high after rainfall and temperatures begin to rise, the incidence of fire blight can increase rapidly. Therefore, orchard farmers should always monitor their farms closely and report any suspicious symptoms immediately.

Jogeumsoon, head of the Technology Extension Division at the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "Preventing fire blight is essential to ensure a stable harvest of apples and pears, which are popular holiday products," adding, "We plan to strengthen continuous monitoring until harvest in collaboration with the Rural Development Administration and local governments to prevent and control the spread of fire blight."

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