Sugarcane, a vital cash crop in Punjab, thriving in tropical and sub-tropical climates. With 98,000 hectares under cultivation and a productivity rate of 825 quintals per hectare, sugarcane plays a significant role in the region’s agriculture. In Kapurthala, sugarcane is cultivated on 3,800 hectares, predominantly in the Phagwara block. However, this crop is often plagued by pests such as early shoot borer, top borer, stalk borer, pyrilla, and termites, which reduce both yield and sugar content. In response, farmers have frequently used insecticides, leading to environmental pollution and a decline in natural predators.To address this issue, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has developed an eco-friendly pest management solution using trichocards. In an effort to promote this sustainable approach, a technical session and demonstration were organized in Sahni village, Phagwara, where over 500 acres of sugarcane are cultivated.
Dr. Suman Kumari, Assistant Professor of Plant Protection, explained the function and significance of trichocards, including their preparation in the lab and their application in the field. She encouraged farmers to adopt this technology to effectively control sugarcane borers. Following the informative session, Mr. Gagandeep Dhawan, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, extended a vote of thanks. The event concluded with ten practical field demonstrations to showcase the method.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9331
