Author : Muhammad Afzal
Working to advance the whole of Pakistani agriculture that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by the use of Technology.
Studied at : KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden.
Co-founder : Nordic Experts AB Sweden
Lives in : Stavanger, Norway
From : Shorkot, Dist Jhang Pakistan
Timestamp: 31 December 2017 08:59 am
Use of Bordeaux mixture spray does not only control fungal and bacterial diseases of fruit trees and vegetables but it is also cheap, safe and more economical. The 100th anniversary of Bordeaux mixture was celebrated in 1984 in France, declaring its superiority overall the available fungicides.
Prevention is better than cure. About 80 to 90 per cent pests and diseases can be controlled by using preventive measures which includes pruning and burning of diseased plant debris. Using cultures of Tricho Pak and Aspergo-Pak (mixed with wheat straw) @ 8-12 kg. straw/ he can control soil-borne diseases and increase the yield considerably, particularly of vegetables by 4-5 times.
Malformation of mango inflorescence can be controlled by lowering Ph value of soil through combine application of gypsum, F.Y. ammonium sulphate and single super phosphate around each tree. Gram blight can be controlled and production increased by using seeds of resistant varieties (Paidar 93, Punjab 93, Noori 91 and Ilainsafar).
The citrus diseases (canker and withertip) can be controlled and quality and yield increased by proper pruning (and burning the diseased plant parts), followed by Bordeaux mixture sprays.
Many pests of fruit trees, vegetables and cotton can be controlled by using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for which private service is now available Sugarcane pyrilla can be controlled by spreading sugarcane trash in the field for the population development of useful insects which attack and kill pyrilla pests.
Skimming the ear-cocWe(inumni) grains from wheat seeds dipped in 4 per cent salted water can control the disease and increase the yield.
Fruit fly of stone fruits can be controlled by using traps in which small pieces of cotton wool dipped in Methyl eugenol are placed. This is very useful practice to be followed in Balochistan. Codling moth of apple can be kept under control by tying gunny bag pieces on tree stems near the ground. All the larvae hide themselves during winter under these pieces. These can be then collected and killed. It is cheap and an efficient method.
Mango hoppers can be controlled by fixing glued bands on stems of trees 4 feet above the ground. The hoppers when going up on the trees get stuck up. These are then collected and killed. Rice and pulses can be safely stored after sun drying by rubbing the grains with turmeric power mixed in sarsoon oil. The same results can be achieved by mixing dried neem leaves with the grains.
Using one tablet of Phosphine for 10 bags of wheat covered under a plastic sheet for 24 hours can ensure safe storage for one year period. Controlling aphids in oil seeds crops with tobacco decoction spray can double the production. This is cheap and an effective method.
The various cotton borers can be kept under control by cutting sticks of the previous crop below ground level and burning the cotton bolls lying on the ground.
Use of IPM against white fly and other pests is very effective. To achieve this sow lantana hedge around the cotton fields and plaht lucern in patches inside the cotton fields. This helps in increasing population of predators which kill the harmful pests.
Stop using dangerous and costly insecticides which are not only adulterated and ineffective but also pollute the ground, water and atmosphere besides killing human beings, animals and birds.