Irrigate crop to check aphid attack, say experts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 1

With the rise in temperature farmers are facing mild attack of aphid on their crop in some areas of the region. However, there is no report of the outbreak of yellow rust till date.

Meanwhile, officials of the Agriculture Department are expecting good yield as they have observed that the crop is healthy. Wheat crop in the region is on heading stage and grains are gaining weight.

During the past week, maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal, but during the last two-three days it lowered to some extent.

The Agriculture Department has advised farmers for the need-based irrigation of the wheat crop.

Dalbir Singh Chinna, chief agriculture officer, said, “Farmers are advised to monitor wheat and mustard fields regularly to check incidence of aphid. The crop has to be irrigated.”

As per agriculture experts, if occurrence of wheat aphid is five or more per ear head then spray of 40 ml Imidacloprid 17.8 SL or 20 g Actara 25 WG or 12g of Dantop 50 WDG in 100 litre of water per acre is required.

They said, “Similarly, in mustard field, if the average number of aphids is 50 to 60 per 10 cm of terminal portion of the central shoot, then spray the crop with Actara 25 WG @ 40 g or Rogor 30 EC @ 400 ml in 80 to 125 litre of water per acre.”

“If there are symptoms of yellow rust in wheat, spray the crop, wherever yellow rust is noticed, (don’t do blanket spray) with fungicides like Tilt 25EC / Bumper 25EC / Stilt 25 EC/ Shine 25EC / Markzole 25EC / Compass 25EC @ 200ml or Nativo 75 WG @ 120 ml in 200 litre of water per acre to check its further spread,” they added.

“Overall, the growth and development of wheat is good. There is no need to worry. If farmers keep check on their crop, they will get good yield,” said Chinna.