In what comes as a solace to sericulture farmers, who have been up against the fast spreading root rot disease, Mysore based Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI) has developed ‘Chetak,’ an organic medicine, which has proved to be highly effective against the disease.
“Root rot disease largely affects mulberry plants that are grown in red sandy soil, which contains less organic material.
The disease is severe and the infected plant dies in 10-12 days,” says CSRTI Director S B Dandin, who has along with Mala V Rajan, D D Sharma, Nishita Naik and Balaji Choudhary developed the product.
The disease was first noticed in 2003. It has emerged as a serious problem in Kolar, Bangalore Rural, Kanakapura, Malavalli and several places in and around Mysore in Karnataka, Gopichettypalyam in Erode and Udamalpet in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Indupur, Ananthpur, Thanakonda, Yelur and V Kota in Andhra Pradesh. Realising the gravity of the situation, the institute began research work in 2003-04 at its Mulberry Pathology Laborartory. 
Tested in 3 states
“Silkworms are sensitive to fungicides and pesticides. So botanicals, which are less toxic to plants and soil micro organsims, that are useful in the growth of mulberry have been used. Also it has been tested among 200 farmers in all the three states,” says Mr Dandin.
As the demand for the product is on the rise, the National Research Development Corporation has been approached to advertise in the paper for licensing of the product.
Production
Three-four firms have come forward, the licensing and royalty procedures are expected to be completed within a fortnight. But there is a need for more firms to come forward as the product needs to be manufactured on a large scale, says Mr Dandin. CSRTI to meet the urgent demands of the farmers in and around Mysore is, however, producing 25-30 kg of Chetak everyday just as an awareness initiative. While one kg here is sold at Rs 100, the production cost elsewhere will amount to Rs 150 per kg. And one kg of Chetak will be sufficient for 50 plants,” the director added.