Agriculture Department issues advisory to tackle yellow rust attack on wheat crop

Tribune News Service 

Patiala, January 18

The State Agriculture Department today issued an advisory to the farmers in the district to watch out from signs and symptoms of yellow rust, which starts appearing in the wheat crop in certain parts of the district during this time of the year.

The department said the farmers of the state needed to be made aware of the yellow rust attack on wheat crops, besides being provided with expert guidance to tackle this menace.

In its advisory, the department maintained that farmers in the semi-hilly areas of the state were more prone to yellow rust attacks. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recommended pesticides such as Propikonazol 25 EC at rate of 200 millilitres per acre and Tryflocksistrobin+ Tabukonazol 75 WG at rate of 120 grams per acre should be sprayed on the crops at 15-day interval.

An official of the department said this should be adhered especially in case of wheat sown in gardens and ‘poplar’ fields.

He also divulged that all pest surveillance committees had suggested that it was in the best interest of the farmers to desist from spraying any pesticide at their own level on the advice of dealers. Any action in this regard must be initiated after consulting the experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the PAU or office of the Agriculture Department concerned. The department also advised the farming community to call tollfree number 1800-180-1551 of kisan call centre for free guidance.

It was divulged that the department had also sought reports from the districts regarding the yellow rust attacks and the technical staff of the districts had been appropriately instructed.