Stem rot disease affects pointed gourd farming in Porsha Upazila

NAOGAON, Oct 21: The stem rot disease has affected the pointed gourd cultivation in some areas of Porsha upazila of the district.

Upazila agriculture officers said the disease is caused by a fungus infection in the stem. It infects the plants that are in their vegetative or flowering stages.

One Mostakim Hossain of the upazila's Nitpur area said most of the green pointed gourd plants on his 20 decimals of land have turned yellow as a result of stem rot disease.

"Until now, pointed gourd worth Tk 6,000 to 7,000 have so far been sold out from my land. I apprehend that I cannot recoup the production cost from the cultivation", he added.

Nur Nobi and Afaz Uddin of the same area echoed Mostakim.

Upazila agriculture officer Mahfuz Alam said excessive rain during cultivation period is the main reason behind the disease.

"We could not protect the vegetable plants using any of the pesticides available in the market", Mr. Alam added.

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