Neem fungus dries trees, experts rule out human risk
HYDERABAD: Neem, widely used by farmers as a natural pesticide and in traditional remedies for skin ailments, is facing a seasonal fungal infection that causes large-scale leaf loss and drying of branches.
Seasonal fungus causes widespread leaf loss
The fungus, identified as Phomopsis azadirachtae, leads to neem trees shedding chlorophyll, with branches and twigs drying up and the tree appearing lifeless. The infection spreads from one tree to another and can affect nearly 80–90% of neem trees across regions.
Experts, however, say the infection is temporary and limited to trees. They have ruled out any risk to humans.
Winter spread, summer recovery
V. Krishna, Dean of the Forest College and Research Institute in Mulugu, said the fungus spreads after the monsoon ends and winter begins. “From October to February, neem trees lose leaves and dry up. By March, they regain greenery naturally,” he said.
Krishna added that the disease was earlier reported mainly in northern India but has now spread to southern states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, as well as other regions.
Research and fungicide trials underway
He said neem’s medicinal properties help it overcome the infection and sprout new leaves. Research on the disease is ongoing, and a three-stage fungicide spraying protocol has been announced.
Krishna said scientists are studying why the fungus spreads only during a specific period, why most trees are affected while some remain green, and how severity varies between urban and rural areas. Long-term studies are being conducted under plant pathology expert Jagadeesh, who heads forest research management at the institute.
