As a wheat farmer, one of your worst enemies can be aphids and sundi. They are destructive pests that can cause significant damage to your crop, affecting your yield and ultimately your profit. It’s, therefore, essential to understand how to control these pests in your wheat crop.
What are Aphids and Sundi?
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that come in many colors like green, brown, black, or yellow. They commonly infest wheat crops by feeding on the sap from the leaves, stems, and grain heads. If not controlled, aphids can spread diseases to the crop, causing it to wilt, and ultimately die.
Sundi, on the other hand, is a type of mite that feeds on the upper portion of the leaves. The infested leaves turn yellow and eventually die. Sundi is more prevalent in cooler and drier regions that experience less rainfall.
Control Measures
1. Proper Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in a particular field during different seasons. Proper crop rotation can significantly reduce the likelihood of aphid and sundi infestation. The pests’ reproductive cycle is broken, preventing them from establishing themselves in the field.
2. Use of Natural Predators
Some insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps can feed on aphids and sundi. Introducing these predators in your wheat crop can reduce their numbers. You can also attract these predators by planting flowers like dill, coriander, and fennel.
3. Chemical Control
Chemical control should be your last resort as it can harm beneficial insects and increase pesticide resistance in pests. However, if the pest infestation is severe, the use of insecticides may be necessary. Before applying any insecticide to your wheat crop, read the label instructions and follow the recommended application rates.
4. Use of Reflective Mulches
Reflective mulches can significantly reduce aphid and sundi infestation by repelling them. Silver-colored reflective mulches reflect ultraviolet light and deter the pests from landing on the wheat crop.
Conclusion
Aphids and sundi are destructive pests that can cause significant damage to your wheat crop. To control these pests, you need to practice proper crop rotation, use natural predators, resort to chemical control as the last option, and use reflective mulches. Proper pest control measures can help you achieve a healthy wheat crop with a high yield and peak profit.