Srinagar, Aug. 21 -- Scientists at the Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani, have confirmed the presence of the Giant Soft Scale (Drosicha turkistanica) on poplar trees in parts of Kulgam and Pulwama districts, raising concerns over its potential spread to horticultural crops.
The pest was detected after reports of whitish, cottony growth on poplar trees. Its identity was later confirmed through molecular analysis by the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), Bengaluru.
According to MRCFC, infestations have been recorded in Nowpora, Kharpora, Utipora, Reshipora, Pahu and Banderpora, with some areas showing infestation levels of up to 90 per cent in both nurseries and mature plantations.
Scientists...