Wilt in redgram (pigeon pea) is a significant disease that can drastically affect crop yield and quality. Understanding its causes, the pests involved, and effective management practices is crucial for farmers to mitigate its impact.
Causes:
Wilt in redgram is primarily caused by soil-borne fungi, particularly Fusarium udum. This pathogen infects the vascular system of the plant, leading to wilting and eventual death.
Pests Involved:
While the primary cause is fungal, certain pests can exacerbate the problem by causing physical damage to the plants, making them more susceptible to infection. These pests include:
– Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
– Stem borers (Maruca vitrata)
– Pod borers (Helicoverpa armigera)
Management Strategies:
1. Pre-Sowing Care:
– Field Selection and Preparation: Choose fields with good drainage and a history of low disease incidence. Avoid fields that have previously grown legumes, as they may harbor the fungus.
– Crop Rotation: Implement crop rotation with non-leguminous crops to break the life cycle of the pathogen.
– Soil Solarization: Use transparent polyethylene sheets to cover the soil before sowing. This helps to reduce the pathogen load in the soil by increasing soil temperature.
2. Seed Treatment:
– Fungicide Treatment: Treat seeds with fungicides before sowing to reduce the risk of infection. Use a fungicide like Xelora or Cascade as part of the treatment process.
– Procedure: Soak seeds in a solution of Xelora or Cascade at the recommended concentration. Ensure thorough coverage and allow seeds to dry before sowing.
3. Cultural Practices:
– Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected plant debris to reduce the source of inoculum.
– Plant Spacing: Maintain adequate spacing between plants to ensure good air circulation and reduce humidity levels, which can inhibit fungal growth.
– Irrigation Management: Avoid overwatering and ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogged conditions that favor fungal growth.
4. Chemical Control:
– Xelora Fungicide: Apply Xelora at the recommended dosage as a foliar spray. This fungicide is effective in controlling wilt by inhibiting fungal growth.
– Dosage: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application rates.
– Timing: Apply at the first signs of wilting and repeat as necessary based on disease pressure.
– Cascade Fungicide: Cascade is another effective fungicide for managing wilt. It can be used in rotation with Xelora to prevent resistance buildup.
– Dosage: Use as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
– Application: Apply during early disease stages and ensure thorough coverage of the foliage.
5. Biological Control:
– Trichoderma spp.: Use Trichoderma-based biofungicides to control soil-borne pathogens. These beneficial fungi compete with and inhibit the growth of Fusarium udum.
– Application: Apply Trichoderma formulations to the soil at the time of sowing.
Conclusion:
Managing wilt in redgram requires an integrated approach combining cultural practices, seed treatment, and chemical control. Using fungicides like Xelora and Cascade, along with proper pre-sowing care and seed treatment, can significantly reduce the incidence of wilt. Implementing these strategies will help ensure healthy redgram crops and improved yields.
Take Care:
– Follow recommended dosages and application timings for fungicides.
– Wear protective gear when handling and applying chemicals.
– Store fungicides in a cool, dry place, away from children and pets.
– Regularly monitor crops for early signs of wilt and other diseases.
By adopting these practices, farmers can effectively manage wilt in redgram and ensure the sustainability of their crop production.