Under the aegis of Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana, KVK Kapurthala has conducted demonstrations on tricho-cards in sugarcane crop in Rampur Sunra village of Phagwara block. In this camp, more than 50 farmers participated. Tricho cards serve as the most important and eco friendly component of integrated pest management strategies in order to reduce the pesticide residue among the crops and as well as safe to natural enemies and to environment also. At the onset, Dr Suman Kumari, Assistant Professor (Pl. Prot.) discussed that this tactic has a very selective mode of action as these cards have eggs of Corcerya cephalonica that are parasitized with two species of natural enemies like Trichograma chilonis and Trichograma japonicum. These natural enemies complete their life cycle within the egg of the pest and kill the host. These tricho cards are very effective against stalk borer in sugarcane which is a very serious pest. It is active from July-October months of the year. Later, Dr Ashok Kumar, Assistant Professor (Soil Sci.) educated the farmers regarding the importance of soil testing for field crops. He also stressed upon use of bio-fertilizers and water testing as these are very important parameters for increased production of crops. Dr. Harinder Singh, Associate Director (Trg.) discussed about the mandates of KVK and also different facilities given to farmers by the KVK. He also motivated the farmers, to adopt subsidiary occupations and form self-help groups to improve the livelihood of the farming community. He further ensured the farmers regarding availability of technical interventions without any delay to them. Different schemes of agriculture department were discussed by Dr Parmjeet Mahey, ADO, Phagwara block. At last, method demonstrations on tricho cards were conducted in sugarcane fields.
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