Neem Dieback Disease Threatens Neem Trees Across Southern India
Neem Dieback Disease Raises Alarm in Telangana
Neem trees, long valued for their medicinal and antiseptic properties, are facing a serious ecological threat due to the rapid spread of Neem Dieback Disease in Telangana. Scientists report that over 60 percent of neem trees in the state have been infected by a destructive fungus known as Phomopsis azadirachtae, commonly referred to as dieback disease.
The infection earns its name because it begins at the terminal shoots and gradually moves downward along the stem, stripping chlorophyll from the leaves and weakening the tree. While mature neem trees often survive the infection, young plants face a high risk of mortality.
How Neem Dieback Disease Is Spreading
Despite neem trees being planted far apart, Neem Dieback Disease is spreading rapidly as fungal spores are carried by birds from tree to tree. Experts confirm that the fungus is host-specific, meaning it affects only neem trees and poses no risk to humans or other plant species.
Young neem saplings, particularly those aged one to two years, are the most vulnerable and may die if the infection becomes severe.
Heavy Monsoon Rains Trigger the Outbreak
Scientists attribute the current surge in Neem Dieback Disease to prolonged and intense monsoon rainfall. Continuous heavy rains between June and October create ideal moisture conditions for fungal growth.
According to B. Sadasivaiah, Lecturer in Botany at Government Degree College, Jadcherla, neem trees—though generally resistant to diseases—are susceptible to 20–30 types of pathogens, including fungi.
“The unusually heavy and prolonged monsoon rains have created perfect conditions for fungal infections. Excess moisture on neem trees allows the fungus to grow rapidly,” he explained.
Research Findings on Neem Dieback Disease
Sadasivaiah and his research team studied nearly 3,000 neem trees in the Mahabubnagar and Jadcherla regions when the disease first appeared four years ago.
Their findings showed that 99 percent of mature neem trees recovered naturally within a few months. However, young trees remained highly vulnerable and often failed to recover if the infection progressed.
Natural Remedies for Neem Dieback Disease
Experts strongly advise against using chemical pesticides such as endosulfan or monocrotophos, as they are ineffective against Neem Dieback Disease and may harm the environment.
Instead, recommended management practices include:
- Pruning infected branches, especially those as thick as a human forearm
- Applying henna (Lawsonia inermis) paste to affected areas
- Watering the roots with a henna extract solution to suppress fungal growth
“Henna has proven to be a powerful natural antifungal remedy,” Sadasivaiah said.
Ensuring adequate watering is also crucial, as moisture stress can reduce a tree’s ability to survive infection.
Long-Term Outlook of Neem Dieback Disease
The outbreak of Neem Dieback Disease follows a cyclical pattern of roughly 10 years and has been documented previously in Uttarakhand (2004) and Bengaluru (2007–08).
Experts believe the current outbreak affecting Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra may persist for nearly a decade until the genetic resistance of neem trees naturally adapts to the fungus.
Importantly, neem leaves from infected trees remain safe for medicinal and household use, offering some reassurance to communities dependent on neem products.
