KHAIRPUR, May 15: Date trees have been affected by a disease causing premature loss of the fruit. The disease has damaged orchards and affected 40-50 per cent of the date produce.

According to a survey conducted by Dawn, the disease has reduced the size of fruits and a low produce has been obtained during the current month.

Shaukat Khaskheli, a date grower, said the disease had badly affected date orchards and in some cases there was only 2-3 per cent produce.

He further said such a hot weather had not been experienced in May for many decades, which had affected date trees.—BoC