Scarier Because It's Invisible... Yeongdeok County Launches All-Out Effort to Prevent Fire Blight

Preemptive Removal of Infection Sources Through On-Site Monitoring and Detailed Inspections

Yeongdeok County has taken proactive measures to prevent fire blight, a disease often referred to as the "black spark" of orchards.

Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province is implementing a focused prevention period to block the introduction and spread of fire blight, a disease fatal to Rosaceae fruit trees such as apples and pears.

Yeongdeok County Agricultural Technology Center is conducting education on fire blight monitoring and control at farm sites. Provided by Yeongdeok County

Fire blight is characterized by flowers and leaves suddenly withering and appearing scorched, with bacterial exudate visible on branches and stems. Young fruits turn dark brown and dry out after showing water-soaked symptoms, but often remain attached to the tree rather than falling off.

Since the disease spreads more rapidly in high temperatures, Yeongdeok County is operating a focused prevention period from November 10 of last year to April of this year, before the weather warms up, in accordance with the "Fire Blight Monitoring and Control Guidelines." The county is intensively removing overwintering pathogens, monitoring for suspicious symptoms, collecting samples, and conducting detailed inspections, particularly in managed orchards and those nearby.

In particular, the county plans to block the possibility of fire blight outbreaks in advance by strengthening the removal of sources of infection, especially in areas near past outbreak sites and regions at risk of infection.

Additionally, Yeongdeok County plans to supply preventive agents for fire blight to farms between February and March, and will provide guidance and conduct on-site inspections to ensure timely control measures are implemented.

Orchard owners who discover suspicious symptoms are advised to report them immediately to the Yeongdeok County Agricultural Technology Center. Upon receiving a report, the county will promptly respond through on-site confirmation and detailed inspections.

Hwang Daesik, Director of the Yeongdeok County Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "For fire blight, prevention is far more important than post-infection control," adding, "We will minimize damage to farms through thorough monitoring and preemptive removal of infection sources."