Bangladesh's mangoes are being affected by a mysterious cracking disease, dashing earlier hopes of a bumper crop, website Thedailystar.net reported.

Growers in Dinajpur Sadar noticed black spots on the fruit which have lead to splitting within seven days of infection. Farm workers are busy spraying orchards with insecticides and separating the infected mangoes.

Producer Rafiqul Islam, who has a 350-tree mango orchard, said he first noted the disease last week.

"I have been in the mango business for the last 15 years, but I have never seen such disease before," he was quoted as saying.

Dinajpur Department of Agriculture Extension deputy director Anwarul Alam,  said the problem could be contained.

"Incidents of cracks in mangoes is not new in the area but spread of such a sudden 'crack disease' following appearance of black marks is mysterious. We have suggested using pesticides as remedial measure," he was quoted as saying.

Other areas badly affected include 0rchards in Biral, Khansama, Bochaganj and Ghoraghat counties in Dinajpur District.

Dinajpur Sadar was expecting  to produce at least 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) from it's 3,000 hectares of mango orchards which would have been a bumper crop.

Bangladesh is ranked as one of the 12th largest producers of mangoes in the world.

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Photo: The Daily Star

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