Plant protection is an important aspect of bajra cultivation as it helps in preventing the crop from various pests and diseases, thereby increasing the yield of the crop. Bajra, also known as pearl millet, is one of the major cereal crops cultivated in India. Here is some information on plant protection in bajra crop.
Pests:
The major pests affecting bajra crop are stem borer, shoot fly, and earhead bug. Stem borer is the most destructive pest that damages the stem of the plant and causes lodging. Shoot fly, on the other hand, affects the young seedlings and causes stunted growth. Earhead bug feeds on the developing grain and results in yield losses.
How to control pests:
To control stem borer, farmers should cultivate resistant varieties such as hybrid bajra. They should also remove the affected plants and destroy them. To control shoot fly, farmers should treat the seeds with insecticides before sowing. They should also apply certain insecticides like carbofuran, phorate, and chlorpyrifos in the field. To control earhead bug, farmers should apply insecticides like malathion, fenitrothion, and carbaryl. Their application should be timed according to the pest incidence.
Diseases:
The major diseases that affect bajra crop are ergot, downy mildew, smut, and rust. Ergot is a fungal disease that affects the flower and leads to the formation of ergot bodies. Downy mildew causes yellowing of the leaves and stunted growth of the plant. Smut is a fungal disease that results in the formation of black sooty powder on the ears. Rust causes orange-colored pustules on the leaves.
How to control diseases:
To control ergot, farmers should remove the infected parts and destroy them. They should also use certified seeds for sowing, as they are resistant to the disease. To control downy mildew, farmers should apply fungicides like copper oxychloride, carbendazim, and propiconazole. To control smut, farmers should apply fungicides like carboxin and seed treatment in the field. To control rust, farmers should apply fungicides like tricyclazole and mancozeb.
Conclusion:
Plant protection plays a crucial role in the cultivation of bajra crop. Farmers should take necessary steps to prevent the crop from pests and diseases, thereby improving the yield and quality of the crop. They should also follow integrated pest management practices and use eco-friendly measures to control pests and diseases. This will not only protect the crop but also enhance the soil fertility and environmental sustainability of the farm.