Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease of cattle that is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). It primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues of infected animals, resulting in nodules and lumps that can be painful and interfere with the normal movement and grazing of the animal.
The disease is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and can also be spread by contaminated needles, instruments, and equipment used in handling infected animals. LSD is an economically significant disease as it affects the quality and quantity of dairy production.
Control measures for LSD include vaccination, improved vector control, and early identification and quarantine of infected animals.
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Dhaincha as Green Manure
Dhaincha (Sesbania grandiflora) is a plant species that is commonly used as a green manure crop. Green manure crops are grown specifically to be plowed under and incorporated into the soil to improve its fertility and structure.
Green manure not only increases yield, but also reduces chemical fertilizer cost by 50 percent. Dhaincha is a fast-growing legume that can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil and add organic matter to the soil, which can improve soil health and fertility, and also reduce erosion and improve water-holding capacity.
This makes a valuable crop for farmers looking to improve soil quality, especially in regions with poor soil conditions. Dhaincha is green manure mainly used for Rice cultivation.
Manures and fertilizers required for the Safflower Farming
Safflower is a drought-tolerant crop that requires moderate amounts of fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the primary nutrients needed for optimal growth and yield.
For fertilizer application, it is recommended to use a balanced NPK fertilizer with a ratio of 12-24-12 or 14-14-14. Nitrogen (N) is needed for leaf growth, phosphorus (P) for root development and flowering, and potassium (K) for overall Safflower plant’s health and stress tolerance.
Organic fertilizers such as compost, well-rotted manure, and green manure crops like legumes can also be used to provide the necessary nutrients to the crop.In order to identify any shortages and adjust fertilizer applications accordingly, soil testing should also be done.
How does Ergot disease cause damage in Pearl Millet ?
Ergot disease in Pearl Millet is caused by the fungus Claviceps fusiformis, which infects the ovaries of the plant and replaces the seed with fungal structures called sclerotia. The sclerotia contain toxic alkaloids that can cause harm to both humans and animals when consumed.
The first symptom of the disease is exudation of pinkish or light honey-coloured small mucilaginous droplets of sticky fluid called ‘honeydew’ oozing out from infected spikelets.
The disease reduces seed germination and yields, leading to decreased crop productivity. In addition to these direct effects, Ergot disease can also weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to other diseases and pests, further reducing crop health and yield.
The infestation of Mealybugs in Custard Apple and treatment
Mealybugs are a type of pest that can infest custard apples and other plants. They feed on the sap of the plant, causing damage to the foliage and fruit, and can also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew which can encourage the growth of sooty mold.
To control mealybugs, you can try physically removing them by wiping them off with a cloth, or using insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spray BUPROFEZIN 25% SC @ 12 ml/15 lts of water along with a good quality sticker.
It’s important to keep the plant free of dead leaves and debris, which can harbor the pests, and to monitor the plant regularly for signs of infestation.
Manure and fertilizers used for Dragon fruit cultivation.
Dragon fruit is a nutrient-demanding crop that requires regular applications of fertilizer to achieve optimal growth and yields. Organic matter plays a very important role in dragon fruit development and growth. Each plant should be applied with 10-15 kg of organic compost. Thereafter, increase the amount by 2kg per year.
This crop requires inorganic fertilizers for rapid growth in vegetative parts. In vegetative stage, this fertilizer ratio is as follows,muriate of potash :super phosphate :urea =40:90:70 grams/plants.
Low amounts of nitrogen and large amounts of potash should be sprayed during the fruit-bearing period to increase yield.
Club root disease of Mustard crop
Club root is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects mustard and other brassica crops. The disease is caused by the fungus Plasmodiophora brassicae, which invades the roots of the plant and causes the roots to become swollen and distorted, leading to a condition known as “clubbing.”
Symptoms of club root in mustard crops include stunted growth, wilting, yellowing of the leaves, and a reduction in yields. In severe cases, the roots of the plant can become so distorted that the plant is unable to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, leading to plant death.
To control club root in mustard crops in a suspect or infected field, incorporating hydrated lime (1,500 lb/A) at least 6 weeks before planting, whether pH is neutral or alkaline, gives additional disease control. Chemical controls, such as the use of fungicides, can also be used to control club roots.
It is also important to maintain soil pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0, as club root is more severe in acidic soils. Additionally, avoiding overwatering and improving soil drainage can help reduce the risk of club roots infection.
What is Tobacco mosaic disease ?
An infection caused by a virus called tobacco mosaic disease that affects not just tobacco plants but also tomato and pepper plants and other Solanaceae family members. The Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), which is easily spread from plant to plant through contact with contaminated tools, hands, or plant components, is what causes the illness.
Yellow-green streaks and mottling on the leaves, stunted growth, and lower yields are signs of this disease. Infection on young plants results in stunted growth, malformation, distortion and puckering of leaves. Darkgreen blisters and sometime enations (leafy growth) appear on the dorsal side of the leaf.
Since there is no treatment for tobacco mosaic disease, maintaining excellent hygiene and taking precautions to prevent infection are the best ways to manage the disease.Old stems and leaf trash of affected plants buried in the soil are the other sources of infection and spread. Additionally, planting disease-resistant varieties and removing infected plants from the garden can help reduce the spread of the virus.
Do you know how pod bugs damage red gram (Tur dal)?
Pod borer insects can cause damage to red gram crops. These pests lay their eggs in the pods of the plant and when the larvae hatch, they feed on the seeds, reducing both the yield and quality of the harvest.To control these pests, farmers can use a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods, such as crop rotation, using resistant varieties, and applying insecticides.
Application of Spinosad or imidacloprid gives control upon pod bug damage. Spraying of quinalphos 25% EC @ is effective against pod fly and pod borer. Spraying of effective molecule like Indoxacarb 14.5 SC % @ 300 ml/ha or Emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 11 a.i gm/ha or Spinosad 45 SC @ 56-73 a.i gm/ha is effective against Pod borer complex.
However, it’s important to implement integrated pest management practices to minimize the negative impact on the environment and human health.
How do oil cakes help plants?
Oil cakes can help plants in several ways:
Nutrient-dense fertilizer: Oilcakes are high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are essential plant nutrients. The use of oil cakes as a fertilizer can improve soil health and crop yield.
Soil improvement: By adding organic matter to the soil, oilcakes can improve soil structure and fertility. This can aid in reducing soil erosion, increasing water retention, and encouraging healthy root growth.
Pest control: Natural compounds in oilcakes can act as a repellent to pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria can be found in some oilcakes, such as soybean oilcake. These bacteria aid in the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, thereby increasing soil nitrogen content.