Garlic is a popular crop that is grown in various parts of the world. It is used in various cuisines for its unique flavor and aroma. However, garlic cultivation can be challenging as it is susceptible to various diseases and pests. Sucking pests are one of the significant problems that garlic farmers face. They can cause significant damage to the crop, reduce yield, and affect the quality of the garlic bulbs. In this article, we will discuss how to control sucking pests in garlic crop.
Identification of sucking pests
Before we discuss the control measures of sucking pests, we need to identify the types of pests that attack garlic. Some of the common types of sucking pests that attack garlic include:
1. Aphids
2. Thrips
3. Whiteflies
4. Jassids
Control Measures
1. Cultural Practices
Implementing proper cultural practices is the first and the most crucial step towards the management of sucking pests in garlic crops. Farmers should focus on the following cultural practices to minimize the infestation of pests.
– Crop rotation: Crop rotation helps prevent the buildup of pests in the field. Farmers should avoid planting garlic in the same area repeatedly, as it can lead to the build-up of pests and diseases.
– Removing weed hosts: Removing weed hosts that are the primary source of infestation is crucial for controlling sucking pests. Farmers should remove weeds from the field and prevent them from growing in nearby areas.
– Planting resistant varieties: Planting resistant garlic varieties can be effective in minimizing the infestation of pests. Farmers should select resistant varieties of garlic and plant them accordingly.
2. Biological Control
Biological control is an effective way of reducing the population of sucking pests without damaging the environment. The following biological control methods can be useful for controlling sucking pests in garlic crops.
– Encourage natural enemies: Farmers should encourage natural predators, such as lacewings, ladybugs, and spiders, in their fields. These predators feed on the pests and can reduce their population.
– Use microbial pesticides: Microbial pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana, are effective against sucking pests. These pesticides are non-toxic and do not harm beneficial insects.
3. Chemical Control
In severe cases, farmers can use chemical control methods to control the sucking pests in garlic crops. However, it is essential to use chemicals with care to minimize their impact on the environment. The following are some commonly used chemical control methods.
– Use insecticides: Insecticides such as imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos are effective in controlling sucking pests. However, farmers should use them as per the recommended dosage to reduce their impact on the environment.
– Use acaricides: Acaricides such as propargite and abamectin can also be effective against sucking pests. However, farmers should use them only when the population of pests is high and use them as per the recommended dosage.
Conclusion
Controlling the infestation of sucking pests in garlic crops can be a challenging task, but with proper management practices, farmers can minimize their impact. Cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control are effective methods of controlling sucking pests in garlic crops. Farmers should select the appropriate method based on the severity of the infestation. With proper management, farmers can grow healthy and high-yielding garlic crops.