Sure, here’s an article on control measures of white fly in onion crop.
Whitefly is a common pest in onion crops, and can cause significant damage if left untreated. Here are some control measures to help manage this pest:
1. Crop rotation: Crop rotation is an essential practice to reduce whitefly populations. This practice minimizes the pest’s breeding ground by depriving them of their preferred host plants. Thus, it is recommended to rotate onion crops with non-host crops like maize, beans, and peas.
2. Insecticides: Insecticides are a popular way of managing whiteflies. It’s recommended to use selective insecticides like pyriproxyfen and buprofezin, which have less potential for environmental toxicity and are more effective in targeting whiteflies’ life cycle.
3. Sticky traps: Whiteflies can be easily trapped by using yellow sticky traps. These traps are coated with adhesive materials, which help capture the whitefly adults, thereby reducing the pest population. However, it should be noted that sticky traps can’t reduce the overall population of whiteflies and must be used along with other control measures.
4. Use of beneficial insects: Parasitic wasps are the natural predators of whiteflies and can be used to manage whitefly populations. These are available commercially and can be used by releasing them onto the onion crop.
5. Proper irrigation management: Whiteflies prefer moist conditions, and proper irrigation management that reduces the humidity level will reduce whitefly population growth.
6. Sanitation: It’s essential to remove the infected plants, debris, and weed plants nearby, as they can serve as breeding sites for whiteflies. Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding weeds in the onion crop can reduce whitefly populations.
Conclusion:
Whitefly is a notorious pest for onion crops and can cause significant damage if left uncontrolled. A combination of the above measures like crop rotation, insecticides, sticky traps, beneficial insects, proper watering management, and sanitation, if implemented correctly, can effectively manage whiteflies and maintain onion crop’s health and yield. Remember that early detection and action are vital in curbing whitefly populations and the damage they cause.