Taking a serious note of favorable weather conditions for the incidence of pink stem borer, outbreak of late blight, yellowing and weed emergence in wheat crop, the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has advised the state farmers to not panic in case of attack of any insect-pest or disease.
In this regard, Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, chaired an online meeting with the field officers of the State Departments of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Horticulture as well as extension scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centre’s of PAU and GADVASU. More than 200 extension functionaries participated in the meeting and discussed field problems with PAU experts.
Dr Bhullar advised to use alternate herbicide groups every year and flat fan nozzle for achieving better control of Phalaris minor (gulli danda) in wheat crop. He also informed that sowing of wheat crop with Happy Seeder under mulching condition significantly reduced weed pressure and soil weed seed bank, particularly, of gulli danda. Dr Bhullar encouraged the farmers to remain in contact and seek further guidance from PAU experts.
Dr Beant Singh, Principal Entomologist, urged the farmers to not worry in case there was an attack of pink stem borer (PSB) in wheat crop. He suggested refraining from wheat sowing in October, if there was a damage of PSB in previously sowed rice crop. He further advised to irrigate the fields during day time to maximize predation of insects by birds.
Dr Hari Ram, Principal Agronomist, addressed the problem of yellowing of wheat crop and told that yellowing in the seedling stage could be caused by nutrient deficiency, bad weather conditions, poor drainage and soil infestation with cereal cyst nematode.
Dr Amarjit Singh, Principal Extension Scientist, discussed symptoms and recommended control measures for the management of yellow rust in wheat, and late blight in potato and tomato crops. He instructed the farmers to monitor their fields regularly as low temperature and high humidity conditions were favorable for late blight disease. Besides, this disease could also spread from potato to tomato crop, he warned.
Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, while proposing a vote of thanks, explained the yellowing of wheat due to nitrogen, zinc, sulphur and manganese deficiencies. He strongly advised all the extension functionaries to listen to the farmers’ issues and promote these recommendations for the effective management of field problems.
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