Sancheong-gun Apple and Pear Fire Blight Disease Spread... Alert Level Raised

Distribution of Pest Control Agents to Apple and Pear Orchards

Agricultural Technology Center Exterior [Image Source=Sancheong-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The Agricultural Technology Center of Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam announced on the 3rd that it is upgrading the alert level from caution to warning due to concerns about the spread of 'Fruit Fire Blight,' which causes significant damage to fruit agriculture such as apples and pears.

Fruit Fire Blight is a bacterial disease designated as a quarantine (prohibited) pest. It is currently spreading nationwide, with Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam being the only regions not yet affected.

In February, the county distributed pesticides to pear and apple farmers to prevent the spread and inflow of Fruit Fire Blight, and all apple and pear orchards in the area have completed pest control.

Fruit Fire Blight requires pesticide application timed to the control period, and tools used in farming such as pruning shears and brush cutters must be disinfected frequently to prevent the movement of pathogens.

A county official stated, “The best measure is to prevent the disease from entering the area through continuous monitoring by local farmers and disinfection of vehicles entering outbreak areas, so we ask for active interest and participation from farmers. If suspicious symptoms appear, please report promptly to the Fruit Specialty Department of the Agricultural Technology Center for swift response.”