Sustainable Agriculture: Promotion of Bio-Pesticides
Neem Cake application
The root grub beetles are nocturnal. The adults feed on wild plants during nights and rest in the soil during day time. These adults lay eggs in the soil and after hatching the grubs start feeding on groundnut lateral roots and finally feeds the tap root resulting in the death of plants.
To reduce the usage of chemicals, AF recommended the application of Neem cake. This Neem cake contains Azadiracta which is found to be lethal to root grubs. Besides this the Neem cake contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potash which will be supplied to plants in a sustainable way. The Neem cake encourages microbial activity also, which in turn provides continuous supply of nutrients to crop.
- Seed treatment with Tricho derma Viridi
Trichoderma viridi is a bio-fungicide, which is effective against many harmful fungus strains. It is effective against seed and soil borne fungi like stem rot, dry rot, root and collar rot. The young seedlings affected by fungus wither away within days, affecting the plant population. The proportion build-up also noticed in fields where in Trichoderma viridi applied more than once.
- Seed Treatment with Beejamrutham
This is a local technology, Beejamritam is mixture of cow dung , urine and lime which is very effective against seed borne fungus diseases. This is an alternative to chemical seed treatment with moncozeban and carbandism. As the cow dung and urine are locally available the farmer need not spend money on chemicals towards seed treatment.
- Neem seed extract spraying :
Peanut stem necrosis disease (PSND) is prevelant in groundnut crop. If the crop is infected with PSND the loss ranges from 40% to 60%. The PSND virus is spread through the thrips, which are the carriers of this deadly virus. To control the thrips population neem seed extract was found very useful. The neem seed extract contains Azdiracta which works as poison and also as a repellent.
- Spraying of Neem Oil
Neem oil works as a bio fungicide. The groundnut crop after attaining 65-70 days of age, is susceptible to late leaf spot (LLS) disease. This LLS will have an adverse affect on yields resulting in 30% to 50% loss in yield of pods and 70% loss in fodder yields. Spraying neem oil will smother the spares of fungus which causes LLS. It was found beneficial, as this replaces the use of costly chemicals like carbandism and mancozeb.
- Soil application of Trichoderma viridi
Many
soil borne fungi are detrimental to plants in early stages as well in late
stages of the crop. The crop is affected in early stages by color rot, dry
root rot fungus and in later stages by stem rot. The fungus which attacks the
crop in early stages will result in low plant population. When it attacks the
crop in later stages, it will result in the loss of matured pods in the soil.
Trichoderma viridi is found to be effective in checking the growth and
multiplication of this harmful fungus. 1 Kg. of Trichoderma viridi is mixed
with 90 kg. of farm yard manure and 10 kg. of neem cake and left for 15 days
during which it multiplies rapidly. This mixture is applied to the soil at the
time of sowing.
Non Pesticide Management (NPM):
Bio-pesticides: Sensitizing and motivating farmers and their groups by organizing
demonstrations, on the use of indigenous plant materials like neem seed, Vitex,
Lantana etc are equally effective compared high cost chemical pesticides. In
addition to this these indigenous pesticides does not affect the soil fauna and
flora and the cost is almost negligible to nil.
Bio- pesticides were applied by 4100 farmers to their 8900 ha of farm land
during the year 2010.
Biological method of pest control: (Pheromone trap, white and yellow boards)
Demonstrations were organized to monitor the intensity of pest and to trap the pest if the pest incidence crossed the Economic Threshold Level (ETL) then the pheromone traps and white & yellow boards are used to trap and control the pest. 1920 farmers have been mobilized to install traps and colour boards in 4020 ha of farm lands of the planned 5290 ha during the year 2010.
