Chilli crop is widely grown across the world for its culinary and medicinal value. However, farmers often face the problem of sucking pests attacking their crops. These pests can cause severe damage to the plants and reduce the yield. Here are some tips to control sucking pests in chilli crop.
1. Use natural predator insects: Ladybugs and lacewings are natural predators that feed on sucking pests like aphids, whiteflies and thrips. Farmers can introduce these insects into their fields to eliminate the pests organically.
2. Use insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soap made from natural ingredients like neem oil, garlic and onion extract can be used to eliminate sucking pests without harming the plants. The soap blocks the pores of the pests, making it difficult for them to breathe and eventually killing them.
3. Neem oil spray: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that works against a variety of pests. Farmers can mix neem oil with water and spray it on their chilli crops to control sucking pests like aphids, whiteflies and thrips.
4. Intercropping: Intercropping chilli plants with other crops like marigold, onion and garlic can help in controlling sucking pests. These plants produce natural compounds that deter pests from attacking the crops.
5. Crop rotation: Crop rotation can help in breaking the life cycle of the pests and limiting their growth. Farmers can alternate chilli crop with other crops like legumes, cereals, and vegetables to control the infestation of sucking pests.
6. Physical barriers: Using physical barriers like sticky traps or netting can prevent pests from entering the field. Sticky traps lure the pests with their attractive fragrance and trap them, while netting blocks their entry into the field.
In conclusion, controlling sucking pests in chilli crop can be a challenging task for farmers. However, by following these effective tips, farmers can not only limit the damage caused by these pests but also ensure a healthy yield. Using natural methods to control pests is better than using chemical pesticides as they can harm beneficial insects, wildlife, and humans.