Shimla, July 9 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday directed immediate scientific investigation into the outbreak of mysterious apple disease, causing significant damage to crop. A delegation of apple growers called on CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday and apprised him of a new disease. The disease was causing apple leaves to turn yellow and fall prematurely, leading to sharp decline in yield. The delegation urged the CM to take prompt action to investigate and control this issue. Taking cognisance, CM directed the vice-chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, to dispatch the University's expert teams to the affected areas immediately. He instructed that the disease be investigated and that orchardists be educated on preventive, control measures. Sukhu emphasised that the disease was spreading rapidly and causing financial losses to the growers. He asked the VC to submit a detailed report to the state government within seven days so that the appropriate measures could be taken at the earliest. Experts from Nauni agricultural university will be conducting field visits and awareness campaigns across several areas of Shimla district on July 9 and 10. Each team will include a plant pathologist, entomologist, fruit scientist along with other experts. They will carry out on-ground assessments of pest and disease conditions in apple orchards and provide scientific recommendations to growers. A detailed advisory for orchardists will be issued after analysing the findings from the visits....