As peanut and guar crops play an important role in providing sustenance to millions of people around the world, disease control in these crops is of utmost importance. Various types of diseases can significantly reduce the crop yield, thereby causing huge financial losses to the farmers.
Peanut crops are notorious for being affected by a range of diseases such as leaf spots, root rot, rust, and blight. Leaf spots are caused by fungi, and they usually appear as small black, brown, or reddish brown spots on leaves. Root rot is a fungal disease caused by soil-borne pathogens, resulting in the roots of plants rotting away. Rust is a fungal infection causing yellow and orange lesions on leaves, and blight causes the death of entire branches or plants.
The most effective way to control these diseases is through the use of resistant varieties. Farmers should select peanut varieties that are bred with a higher degree of disease resistance. Additionally, crop rotation can help control such diseases by reducing the amount of pathogen build-up.
Guar crops are also plagued by various diseases that can damage yield. The common diseases in guar include root rot and wilt caused by Fusarium spp, charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, and Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria tenuissima.
The best option for guar farmers is to ensure that they use best management practices, including:
1. Selecting disease-resistant seed varieties
2. Crop rotation with other crops that are not susceptible to similar diseases.
3. Managing water supply to the crop
4. Routine scouting and monitoring of crops and using fungicides.
5. Use of organic soil amendment to stimulate plant growth and suppress diseases.
In summary, disease control in peanut and guar crops can be achieved through careful selection of resistant varieties, using best management practices, and applying fungicides when required. Practicing crop rotation, using organic soil amendments, and doing routine scouting and monitoring of crops can significantly reduce the risk of disease infection, and increase crop yield and financial rewards for farmers.