Pigeon pea, also known as toor dal or arhar dal, is an important legume crop that is widely grown in India and other tropical regions. However, it often falls prey to a variety of insect pests that can cause significant damage to the crop and reduce the yield. Sucking pests are one of the major pests that attack pigeon pea crops and cause significant damage. In this article, we will discuss some effective measures to control sucking pests in pigeon pea crops.
Identification of Sucking Pests
Before launching an attack against the sucking pests, it is important to identify them. The most common sucking pests that attack pigeon pea crops are aphids, jassids, and whiteflies. These pests suck sap from the plant leaves and weaken the plant. Aphids can be seen on the underside of leaves, while jassids and whiteflies can be seen flying around the plants.
Control Measures
1. Cultural Control
Cultural control methods involve practices that can help prevent the infestation of crops with pests. In the case of pigeon pea crops, the following cultural control techniques can be used.
– Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is an effective technique that involves planting different crops in a particular area over a period of time. This technique helps break the pest life cycle by denying them their preferred host plant.
– Timely Planting: Pigeon pea should be planted at the right time of the season to avoid attracting sucking pests. Early planting can help reduce pest populations by the time they reach maturity.
– Clean Cultivation: Keep your farm and surroundings free from wastes and weeds. Maintain good field hygiene to prevent pest infestation.
2. Biological Control
Biological control methods involve using natural enemies of pests to control pest populations. In the case of pigeon pea, some of the biological control methods are:
– Predatory Insects: The use of predatory insects like ladybugs, dragonflies, and lacewing flies can help reduce pest populations.
– Parasites: Parasitic wasps can be used to prevent aphid infestations, and Encarsia fungus can be used to prevent whitefly populations.
3. Chemical Control
Chemical control is using chemical insecticides to kill pest populations. In the case of pigeon pea, chemical control can be done through the following methods:
– Systemic Insecticides: Systemic insecticides are chemicals that are absorbed by the plant and transported to all parts of the plant. This helps to kill any sucking pests that feed on the plant.
– Foliar Sprays: Foliar sprays are chemicals that are applied directly to the leaves of the plant. They are effective in killing sucking pests that can be seen on the plant.
Conclusion
Sucking pests can cause significant damage to pigeon pea crops, resulting in reduced yield and financial losses. Farmers should employ integrated pest management (IPM) practices and use a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control measures for effective control. By using IPM practices, farmers can protect the crops from the pests, increase the yield, and grow a healthy and profitable pigeon pea crop.