The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Measures to protect red gram from pests

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 06, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Measures to protect red gram from pests

Serena Josephine. M

TNAU experts visit parts of Tirupattur, Kandhili and Madhanur

Red gram cultivated at Kallukuttai in Tirupattur under the Accelerated Pulses Production Programme.

TIRUPATTUR: With red gram – a standing crop in various parts of Tirupattur and Kandhili blocks – facing the possibility of pest attack following consistent rain, a team of experts from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, have suggested remedial and precautionary measures to protect the crops.

Three experts from the university recently visited various parts of Tirupattur, Kandhili and Madhanur, which have red gram cultivation, including under the Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) of the Central government. Head of Department-Pulses of TNAU A.R. Muthiah, along with two faculty members, made the visit.

“At present, red gram crops are in pod formation stage. However, with the possibility of pests attacking the crop, the team from the university has asked us to urge farmers to use 150 ml of Avant – a pesticide – per acre to prevent pest attack,” Joint Director of Agriculture, Vellore, R. Duraisamy told The Hindu.

As there is a possibility of wilt attack, they have suggested removal of affected plants and application of 300 gm of copper oxy chloride, a fungicide, per acre. “The symptoms of wilt attack is yellowing and drying of leaves. In this, we need to pull out the affected plants, drench the soil with copper oxy chloride and apply the fungicide on the nearby plants. Water stagnating in the area should be drained to control further spread,” Mr. Duraisamy added.

Officials explained that pathogens already present in the soil were aggravated due to the rain and resulting water-logging, leading to pest attacks.

“In fact, the team has advised us to take prophylactic measures for next season. They have suggested use of 2.5 kg of pseudo monas, which is a fungicide, during the last plough. This is a bacteria and can be used to control pathogens by applying in the soil,” he added.

Growing of green manure crop has also been recommended.

“After growing the green manure crop, it will be ploughed into the soil and will have an antagonistic effect. This will guard against wilt attack,” Mr. Duraisamy said.

Now, farmers have been advised to spray Avant to control all pests.

The team undertook a study of the frontline demonstration of a new variety of red gram – LRG 41 – predominantly grown in Andhra Pradesh. This is on a trial basis in five blocks in the district.

Rain affected

“Though rain has affected red gram crop in some areas, this was a peculiar crop as it was indeterminate in nature. The flowers have been shed in some places. However, buds will form once again and flowering will occur,” the official said.

A team of 30 officials from the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Chennai, also came on an exposure visit of the A3P in Tirupattur block recently.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu