PULWAMA, April 22 -- Amid growing concerns among farmers due to recent incessant rains and hailstorms in South Kashmir, the Horticulture Development Office in Shadimarg has issued urgent recommendations to protect apple orchards from further damage.

Manzoor Ahmad, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) of Shadimarg, advised orchardists in Pulwama and Shopian districts to immediately spray a combination of fungicides-Difenoconazole, Tebuconazole, and Zineb with Hexaconazole-to mitigate the impact of hailstorms on both traditional and high-density apple trees.

"Three days after applying these fungicides, farmers must follow up with a urea spray-200 grams per 100 litres of water-to aid recovery," Manzoor Ahmad told The Kashmir Pulse during...