Jalebi Disease Threatens Garlic Crops in Madhya Pradesh

Farmers in a place called Alot in Madhya Pradesh are worried because their garlic plants are getting a disease called Jalebi disease.

This disease makes the garlic leaves turn yellow and curl up like a sweet called jalebi.

The disease is caused by tiny insects called thrips that suck the sap from the leaves.

Farmers are spraying pesticides to control the pests.

Experts say if the thrips are not controlled, the garlic bulbs will not grow properly, and the farmers will get less garlic.

This season, a type of garlic from Ooty in South India is doing better than the local garlic.

Farmers think this Ooty garlic is more resistant to the disease and gives better harvest.

One farmer, Mohan Singh Rathore, says the disease happens because of both thrips and fungus.

He advises farmers not to use too much nitrogen fertiliser because it makes the pests worse.

He also says farmers should check their crops regularly and spray pesticides early to stop the disease from spreading.