Healthy Trees, Bounty Harvest: A Guide To Profitable Mango Farming

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May 23, 2023

Healthy Trees, Bounty Harvest: A Guide to Profitable Mango Farming

Are you eager to cultivate mouthwatering mangoes that will have everyone craving for more? Look no further! Cultivate this flavorful fruit that will give you consistent, bountiful harvest season after season.

From selecting the right mango varieties to understanding optimal planting techniques and implementing effective irrigation strategies, we will dig in into every aspect of cultivation practices. Whether you’re a seasoned mango grower or just starting out, this article will equip you with invaluable knowledge and empower you to take your mango cultivation skills to new heights.

Climate

Mango is suitable for tropical and sub-tropical climates. Temperature of about 24 – 30°C are ideal for growing mangoes. High humidity and cloudy weather during flowering can adversely affect pollination, fruit set and can also promote the development of diseases. Avoid planting in areas prone to strong winds, as they can result in the shedding of flowers and fruits, as well as the breakage of branches. Dry weather prior to blossoming will promote profuse flowering.

Soil Requirement

Ideal soils for mango cultivation are alluvial and sandy loams. These soils should possess specific characteristics: medium texture, deep (2 to 2.5 meters) and well-drained, with a low water table (below 1.8 – 2 m in all seasons). It can grow in slightly acidic soils (pH 6.0 to 7.5) but cannot tolerate high soil salt content. So, avoid planting in saline or alkaline soils.

Discover the Perfect Mango Varieties to Grow in Your State

Major mango producing states	Varieties
Andhra Pradesh	Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam, Suvernarekha, Bangalora
Bihar	Bathua, Dashehari, Fazli, Langra, Himsagar, Bombay green, Gulab Khas, Kishen Bhog
Gujarat	Kesar, Alphonso, Rajapuri, Langra, Dashehari, Vanraj, Neelum
Karnataka	Neelum, Banganapalli, Pairi, Alphonso, Totapuri, Mulgoa, Bangalora
Telangana	Alphonso, Banganapalli, Neelam, Mulgoa, Suvarnarekha, Dashehari, Imam Pasand
Maharashtra	Mulgoa, Rajapuri, Gulabi, Vanraj, Pairi, Kesar
Orissa	Langra, Neelum, Amrapalli, Suvarnarekha
Tamil Nadu	Neelum, Banganapalli, Mulgoa, Alphonso, Bangalora
Uttar Pradesh	Dashehari, Bombay Green, Langra, Chausa
West Bengal	Himsagar, Fazli, Gulab khas, Amrapalli, Mallika, Kishen Bhog

Propagation

Mango can be commercially propagated by vegetative methods. Popular methods such as inarching, veneer grafting, side grafting and epicotyl grafting are widely practiced for its propagation. To ensure successful field establishment, select grafts that are one year old, healthy, and have a straight growth pattern, with a minimum of 4 whorls of leaves and strong graft union from a reliable source.

Planting Season

Plant the mango grafts during the monsoon i.e., June to July in rainfed regions. In case of heavy rainfall areas, plant at the end of monsoon (September).

Plant Spacing

Adopt a spacing of 10 m x 10 m in drier regions with limited growth, to 12 m x 12 m in areas with heavy rainfall and fertile soil, where there is ample vegetative growth. For high density planting, plant at 5 x 3 m or 5 x 2.5 m or 3 x 2.5 m or 2.5 x 2.5 m spacing.

Planting

Prepare the land by engaging in deep ploughing, followed by harrowing and levelling the surface with a gentle slope to ensure good drainage. Dig out pits of 1m x 1m x 1m size. Fill the pits with 25 kg of FYM mixed with topsoil and 2 kg of Single super phosphate (SSP). Add 100 gm of Folidol powder in order to avoid termite attack.

Then, take out the plant from the polythene bag or pot with the earth ball undamaged. Place it in the center of the pit and press the moist soil all around the earth ball/root ball. Ensure that the graft joint is above the ground level. Irrigate immediately after planting and stake them for straight growth and prevent wind damage.

Manures and Fertilizers

The table below gives the detailed fertilizer recommendation depending upon the plant’s age;

Age of the Mango Plant (Years)	Dosage per plant per year
Age of the Mango Plant (Years)	FYM (kg)	Urea	Single super phosphate (SSP)	Murate of Potash
1st year	5	200 gm	300 gm	160 gm
2nd year	10	450 gm	630 gm	340 gm
3rd year	15	650 gm	1.25 kg	500 gm
4th year	20	870 gm	1.9 kg	660 gm
5th year	25	1.10 kg	2.5 kg	840 gm
6th year	30	1.3 kg	3.12 kg	1 kg
7th year	35	1.5 kg	3.12 kg	1.15 kg
8th year	40	1.75 kg	3.12 kg	1.3 kg
9thyear	45	2 kg	3.12 kg	1.5 kg
10th year onwards	50	2.2 kg	3.12 kg	1.7 kg

Important points to remember for fertilizer application

Apply the above recommended dosage of fertilizers in 2 split doses i.e., half of the dose of urea, SSP and MOP can be given during monsoon (June – July) while remaining half of the dosage can be applied during the end of monsoon (October), FYM can be applied fully during start of Monsoon (June).
Apply the fertilizers through placement method in circular trenches around the trunk. For trees of more than 10 years age, apply fertilizers 1.5 m away from the trunk.
Spray Tapas Pusti All Plant Nutrient Mix (0.25 gm/lit water) to correct the micronutrient deficiency and also helps plants for better absorption of water and other minerals (NPK) from soil.

Inter-cultivation

Why do you need to wait for your mango trees to mature when you can witness early profits in your orchard. With the strategic use of intercrops, you can make your profits bloom right from the start.

Intercropping can be done during the pre-bearing age (5 – 6 years). Short duration crops such as vegetables and legumes, dwarf fruit crops such as guava and papaya can be raised as intercrops in the alleys depending on the agro-climatic factors of your region. Cultivate sunflowers to attract honeybees and increase pollination and fruit set.

Training and Pruning

Remove the crisscrossing, diseased, weak and dried branches, 3 feet above the ground level using pruning saw to ensure good sunlight and aeration. Prune the internal branches of the trees in your orchard during August to September, once in 3 years. Trim the weak shoots among crowded terminal shoots and retain only two healthy shoots during August to September annually.

Irrigation

Check the irrigation schedule for your mango orchard from establishment to bearing stage.

Plant’s Age	Irrigation interval
1st year	2 – 3 days
2 – 5 years	4 – 5 days
5 – 8 years	10 – 15 days
Trees of full bearing stage	2 – 3 irrigations after fruit set

Do not give irrigation during monsoon months. To ensure optimal flowering in bearing trees, discontinue irrigation at least two months before the flowering period. This deliberate cessation of irrigation induces stress and promotes the formation of flower buds. If possible, it is advisable to employ a drip irrigation system for watering.

Weed Control

Unlike other crops, weed establishment is not a major problem immediately after planting the mango. During the initial years, you can do hand hoeing depending on the weed growth. During the pre-bearing stage (if you didn’t grow any intercrops) and bearing stage of the mango orchard, give 2 ploughing in the interspaces in the beginning and end of monsoon. Additionally, you can also plough the interspaces in the last week of November to control the mealy bug population.

Plant Growth Regulators

Fruit drop, Malformation and Irregular bearing are most common problems in mango orchard. It may be caused due to nutrient deficiency, moisture stress and hormonal imbalance. Pick out the plant growth regular product that helps you to tackle these problems,

Product name	Dosage	Features	Time of Application
Ethrel (Ethephon 39% SL)	1 – 2.5 ml/lit of water	Breaks alternate bearing tendencies.	1st spray: Mid Oct to Early Nov. Give 5 sprays at fortnightly interval
Ethrel (Ethephon 39% SL)	1 – 2.5 ml/lit of water	Induces flowering.	Give 5 sprays at weekly interval, starting from early November
Planofix (Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid 4.5% SL)	0.2 ml/lit of water	Prevents shedding of flowers, buds and fruits. Helps in enlarging fruit size, increasing and improving the quality and yield of fruits.	Spray twice at 15 days interval when the tender fruits are pea sized. To prevent malformation, give one spray 3 months before flowering.
Cultar (Paclobutrazol 23% SC)	For trees < 10 years age: 8 ml/tree For trees > 10 years age: 16 ml/tree (In both cases, apply to the root zone)	Induces regular bearing and enhances fruit quality (color, size, maturation and yield).	Three months before flowering.
Al Sach NPK 13:00:45 (KNO3)	5 gm/lit of water	Induces flowering, increases fruit set and size	Spray during February and then when the fruits are of mustard size

Get to know the strategies for managing mango flowers to boost your yield – click here

Top Working

If your current mango variety is underperforming or if you desire to introduce a more desirable or commercially viable variety to your orchard, “Top Working” is an excellent option for you.

By implementing this technique, you can transform your existing mango trees into a new variety with improved characteristics and maximize the potential of your orchard. Remove the upper part up of the tree to a height of 1.5 meter during Aug – Sept. Allow 4 – 5 vigorous shoots to grow from the remaining portion. Perform veneer grafting on these shoots of pencil thickness. After successful grafting, remove any shoots from the original seedling tree and prune the new shoots to encourage branching. Protect the young shoots arising from the grafts for optimal growth.

Harvesting

Depending on your specific mango variety and region, you can harvest mangoes from March to June. Graft plants will start to bear fruits at 3 – 4 years of age and they will give optimum yield from 10 –15th year.

State	Major Mango Harvesting Season
Maharashtra	April – June
Uttar Pradesh	June – July
Gujarat	May – June
Andhra Pradesh	April – June
Tamil Nadu	April- June
Karnataka	May- July
Bihar	May – July
West Bengal	June – July
Odisha	May – July
Madhya Pradesh	May – June

The optimal time for harvesting mangoes is when they have achieved their full size, allowing them to develop the distinct taste and flavor associated with their particular variety upon ripening. Typically, mango fruits reach maturity within a span of 90 to 120 days from the point of fruit set. There are specific criteria that can help determine the fruit’s maturity:

Look for signs such as the rounding of the vertical edges of the fruit and the emergence of a pink blush or red color.
When one or two ripe fruits fall from the tree naturally without any external force, it signifies that they have reached the desired level of ripeness.

Use a hectare mango fruit picker to harvest the fruits with stalk to prevent quality loss during ripening and storage.

Post Harvest Treatment

Submerge the freshly harvested mango fruits in hot water at a temperature of approximately 52°C ± 1°C for a duration of 5 minutes. Follow this with an application of 8% plant wax, such as Fruitox or Waxol, to minimize the risk of anthracnose disease during storage. Additionally, applying two sprays of Mancozeb (2 gm/liter) prior to harvest will help reduce the incidence of disease. For uniform ripening, you can dip mature fruits in the Ethrel solution once.

Plant Protection Practices

While knowing planting methods and intercultural practices are crucial, it’s important to recognize that the ultimate key to a truly abundant yield lies in effective pest and disease management. Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Equip yourself with the knowledge on their symptoms and control measures to safeguard your mangoes and secure a thriving harvest like never before.

Pests

Mango Hoppers:

Symptoms: They feed on twigs, flowers and leaves and the affected tissues turn brown, deform and later dry up. Affected flowers fail to develop affecting the fruit set. They cause sooty mould development as they produce honeydew.

Management: Spray Metarhizium anisopliae (2 ml/lit water). Spray Actara Insecticide (0.5 gm/lit water) or Tatamida SL Insecticide (1 – 2 ml/lit water)

Mealy bug:

Symptoms: Presence of cottony, white or grayish masses of mealybugs can be seen on leaves, twigs and fruits. They feed on the plant sap, causing stunted growth, leaf yellowing and wilting. The presence of honeydew excreted by them promotes the growth of sooty mold.

Management: Spray Neem oil (1 – 2 ml/lit water) and Beauveria bassiana (2.5 ml/lit water). Spray Sivanto Bayer Insecticide (2 ml/lit water) or Actara Insecticide (0.5 gm/lit water).

Fruit fly

Symptoms: Female fruit flies puncture the fruit skin and lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the maggots consume the fruit pulp, causing decay and rot. Gummy exudations can be seen on the infested fruit’s surface.

Management: Use 6 – 8 Tapas fruit fly pheromone trap per acre. Spray neem oil (2.5 – 3 ml/lit water) at regular interval. Spray Ekalux Insecticide (2 ml/lit water) or Decis 2.8 EC Insecticide (1.5 ml/lit water).

Check out our article on Fruit fly Mangement in Mango to get a complete insight – Click here

Leaf webber:

Symptoms: The caterpillar scrapes the chlorophyll content of leaves and causes webbing of terminal leaves. Later, the affected leaves dry up.

Management: Spray Katyayani Chakrawarti Insecticide (0.4 ml/lit water).

Stem borer:

Symptoms: Small entry holes on the stem or branches, made by adult borers when laying eggs. The larvae then tunnel into them, causing internal damage. This leads to wilting, yellowing and stunted growth of the affected parts. Sawdust-like frass can be seen near the entry holes which indicates its presence.

Management: Apply Copper oxychloride paste on the tree trunk.

Mango Nut Weevil

Symptoms: The adult weevils bore into the mango fruits and lay eggs inside. The developing larvae feed on the fruit pulp, resulting in rotting and premature fruit drop.

Management: Spray Decis 2.8 EC Insecticide (1.5 – 2 ml/lit water) or Confidor Insecticide (0.8 – 1 ml/lit water).

Scale insects

Symptoms: Nymphs and adults suck the sap from the leaves and other tender parts of the plant, thus reducing its vigour. They also secrete honeydew causing sooty mould development.

Management: Spray Keefun Insecticide (2 ml/lit water) or Katyayani Acepro Insecticide (0.5 gm/lit water).

Flower Gall midge/Inflorescence midge

Symptoms: Maggots penetrate into the flower buds by making holes and feeding on the inner content. Affected buds fail to open and fall off. Affected inflorescence is stunted and malformed.

Management: Spray Tafgor Insecticide (1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit water) or Reeva 5 Insecticide (2 ml/lit water).

Shoot borer

Symptoms: Inside the shoots, the larvae create tunnels, causing damage to the inner tissues. This damage often leads to wilting and dieback of the affected shoots.

Management: Spray Ekalux Insecticide (2 ml/lit water).

Diseases

Anthracnose

Symptoms: It causes dark, sunken lesions on various parts of the mango tree, particularly on the fruits. These lesions may initially appear as small spots and gradually enlarge in size. The affected areas become soft, decayed, and may exude a sticky substance. Affected fruits rot,

Management: Spray Pseudomonas fluorescens (2 – 5 ml/lit water). Spray Cuprina fungicide (1 gm/lit water) or Turf fungicide (1.5 – 2.5 gm/lit water).

Powdery mildew

Symptoms: It primarily affects mango leaves but can also infect flowers and fruits. It appears as a white powdery growth on the leaf surfaces, leading to leaf distortion and reduced photosynthesis. Severe infections can cause defoliation and affect fruit development.

Management: Spray Geolife recover nutri (0.5 – 1 gm/lit water) and Spray Sultaf fungicide (2gm/lit water) or Merivon fungicide (0.2 ml/lit water).

Die back

Symptoms: It is characterized by the progressive wilting, drying, and death of branches or sections of the tree. The affected twigs and branches give ‘scorching by fire’ appearance to the tree. Leaves turn brown, roll upwards and later fall off. Bark will show dark discoloration.

Management: Prune the twigs 2 – 3 inches below the infestation and then spray Copper oxychloride (2 gm/lit water).

Bacterial Canker

Symptoms: It starts as small, black, water-soaked lesions, which later develop into typical cankers. They become angular, raised, and surrounded by chlorotic halos, Cankerous lesions appear on leaves, petioles, twigs, and young fruits. Water-soaked lesions on fruits darken, often bursting open and releasing gummy ooze containing bacterial cells.

Management: Spray Borogold Bactericide (1.5 gm/lit water) or Cristocycline Bactericide (0.2 gm/lit water) or Copper oxychloride (2gm/lit water).

Red rust

Symptoms: It is characterized by small, raised pustules on the mango leaves. These pustules have a rust-colored appearance and contain fungal spores. They may also be seen on petioles and bark of young twigs.

Management: Give 2 – 3 sprays of Bordeaux mixture (0.6%) or Copper oxychloride (2 gm/lit water).

Sooty Mould

Symptoms: Presence of black sooty mould on the leaves due to honey dew creation by mealy bug, hoppers and scale insects. If the mould is present on the entire twig and leaves, the tree may appear completely black.

Management: Spray Benmain fungicide (2 gm/lit water). After that, use starch solution for spraying. It can be prepared by boiling 1 kg of Maida/starch in 5 liters of water. Then dilute to 20 liters and use it for spraying. Spray Actara Insecticide (0.5 gm/lit water) to control the sucking pests which cause sooty mould development.

Healthy Flowers, Healthy Profits: Know how to Manage the Pests and Diseases in Mango Flowers – Click here

Red Rot Disease: Strategies For Controlling Red Rot Of Sugarcane

By

Mahalakshmi S

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May 23, 2023

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Red Rot Disease: Strategies For Controlling Red Rot Of Sugarcane

Are you struggling with the persistent and destructive red rot disease in your sugarcane fields? Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum, which is one of the most devastating diseases that can affect sugarcane plants. This disease can significantly reduce your quality and yield of sugarcane crops, leading to substantial economic losses for farmers. It is important to be able to identify the symptoms of red rot in order to take appropriate action. This article will provide you with essential information like symptoms and management methods to help you control and manage red rot in sugarcane crops.

Type of Infestation

Primary infection occurs through infected setts, while the secondary spread within the field can happen through various means such as irrigation water and cultivation tools. Additionally, rain splash, air currents and dew drop also play a role in spreading conidia from diseased plants to healthy ones.
The conidia which settle on the leaves may germinate and invade the leaves through different types of wounds. Stem infection can occur through insect bores and root primordia. The soil-borne fungus can enter healthy setts through different types of wounds.

Scientific Name: Colletotrichum falcatum

Most Affected States

We can see red rot of sugarcane in almost all cane growing states of India. Some of the most affected states include Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

Red Rot of Sugarcane Symptoms

Here are some signs to promptly identify an infection of red rot in your sugarcane fields:

The affected canes show a change in leaf color, from green to orange and eventually turning yellow in the third or fourth leaf.
Affected leaves begin to dry out from bottom and progress towards the top.
In cases where fungal spores penetrate the leaf sheath through the leaf midrib, reddish spots may also become visible on the underside of the leaf midrib.
The external symptoms become visible only after 16-21 days after infection and it takes an additional 10 days for the entire cane to dry out.
Upon splitting open the affected cane, the inner region displays a reddish color with intermittent white patches along the length of the cane.
Sometimes, the pith inside the cane is filled with blackish brown liquid and emits an alcoholic odour.

Red Rot of Sugarcane Control Measures

Are you witnessing any of the symptoms mentioned above in your sugarcane field? If so, it’s time to act swiftly. Don’t delay! Implementing an integrated disease management strategy is crucial for controlling the spread of sugarcane red rot disease and minimizing crop damage. In the following sections, we will explore effective measures to combat and manage sugarcane red rot infection.

Cultural Measures

Choose setts that are free from disease for planting.
Grow resistant sugarcane varieties such as Co 86032, Co 86249, CoSi 95071, CoG 93076, CoC 22, CoSi 6 and CoG 5.
Adopt crop rotation in red rot affected fields with rice for one season and other crops for two seasons.
Provide proper drainage to avoid stagnation.
Avoid ratoon crop in affected sugarcane.
Harvest the diseased crop as early as possible.
Dip the cut ends or entire setts in fungicide solution like one percent Bordeaux mixture.

Physical Measures

Treat the sugarcane setts with aerated steam at 52°C for 4 to 5 hours and by moist hot air at 54°C for 2 hours.

Mechanical Measures

Collect and destroy affected leaves and canes by burning.

Biological Measures

Spot Bio Fungicide contains an effective microbial culture Pseudomonas fluorescence which can effectively control red rot of sugarcane. For an acre, apply 2 kg of spot bio fungicide to get better results.

Red Rot of Sugarcane Chemical Control

Amistar Top Fungicide is an effective broad-spectrum and long-term control fungicide which controls a wide range of diseases including sugarcane red rot. Its technical content is Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC. The recommended dosage is 1 ml per litre of water.
Before planting, soak the setts in a solution of 0.1% Carbendazim or 0.05% Triadimefon for 15 minutes.
Tebusul fungicide is an efficient and cost-effective solution for controlling fungal diseases. It is an effective fungicide with protective, creative and eradicative action. Its technical content is Tebuconazole 10% + Sulphur 65% WG. The recommended dosage is 2.5 gm per litre of water.

Click here to explore our insights on Field Preparation for Sugarcane.

Mission Organic Value Chain Development For North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

By

Mahalakshmi S

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May 22, 2023

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The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) is a scheme launched by the Indian government to promote organic farming in the North Eastern Region of the country. The scheme was introduced in 2016 with the aim of replacing conventional farming methods with sustainable, high-value commercial organic enterprises. The scheme also seeks to empower farmers in the region by organizing them into farmer interest groups and eventually federating them into farmer-producer organizations/companies. Through this scheme, the government hopes to develop organic parks/zones for specific commodities and create state-specific lead agencies to coordinate and monitor the development and operationalization of the entire value chain. The overarching goal of MOVCDNER is to boost the income of farmers in the North Eastern Region and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Scheme Overview

Scheme Name: Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Scheme launched: January 2016
Type of Government Scheme: Central Government of India
Sponsored / Sector Scheme: Central sector scheme
Sub-mission of: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
Operational States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura

Objectives of MOVCDNER

Organizing producers into Farmer Interest Groups and then federating them into farmer-producer organizations/companies to give them program ownership.
Replacing conventional and subsistence farming systems with self-sustainable and high-value commercial organic enterprises based on available resources.
Development of organic parks/zones for specific commodities.
Creating organic products as brands/labels by facilitating stronger marketing access and brand building under the ownership of growers’ organizations/companies.
Establishing state-specific lead agencies such as Organic Commodity Board or Organic Mission, to coordinate, support, monitor and finance the development and functioning of the value chains.

Features of MOVCDNER

Support Provided	Amount
Creation of FPO, support for organic inputs, seeds, training	Rs. 46,575/ha for 3 yrs
Post-harvest infrastructure and value addition	Maximum limit of Rs. 600 lakh for the integrated processing unit
Integrated pack house	Rs. 37.50 lakh
Refrigerated vehicle	Rs. 18.75 lakh
Cold store components	Rs. 18.75 lakh
Collection, aggregation, grading and custom hiring centre	Rs. 10.0 lakh
Four-wheeler/transportation	Rs. 6.0 lakh

Latest News about the scheme

Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has made significant strides in promoting organic farming by developing organic farming packages for 68 cropping systems for 16 states. Additionally, 104 crop varieties suitable for organic farming are identified.

ICAR has developed 64 prototype Integrated Farming System (IFS) models for 26 states/union territories. These models have the potential to increase farmers’ incomes by 3-5 times, providing a significant uplift to the farmers in these regions.

Under this scheme, 379 farmer-producer companies have been formed with 189,039 farmers covering an area of 1,72,966 hectares. This scheme has helped to promote organic farming and value addition, thereby improving the livelihoods of farmers and creating a market for organic produce.

Benefits of MOVCDNER

Provides support for organic farming and value addition to improve the livelihoods of farmers
Creates a market for organic produce and encourages the production of high-value crops
Promotes sustainable agriculture and helps to conserve the environment
Supports the development of farmer’s organizations and cooperatives

Drawback of MOVCDNER

The scheme is only applicable to farmers in the North Eastern Region of India, which may leave farmers in other regions without similar support.
Some farmers may lack access to the necessary infrastructure, equipment or resources to successfully implement organic farming techniques and meet the certification requirements.
The scheme’s success relies heavily on the efficient functioning of the state-specific lead agencies, which may be subject to bureaucratic delays or other issues.
The three-year support period for organic farming may not be sufficient for some farmers to fully transition to organic farming and start generating profits.
In some cases, farmers may not receive the full benefits of the scheme due to corrupt practices or mismanagement at the local level.

Documents Required

Aadhar Card
Land Ownership Certificate
Bank Account Details
Project Proposal
Business Plan

Conclusion

The MOVCDNER scheme aims to promote organic farming and value addition in the North Eastern region of India. It provides support for farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and create a market for organic produce. By promoting organic farming, the scheme helps to improve the livelihoods of farmers and conserve the environment.

Understanding Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus: Causes, Prevention And Effective Management

By

Deepika M

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May 22, 2023

0

Understanding Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus: Causes, Prevention And Effective Management

Are you not able to sell your tomato fruits in the market due to their deformed shape and presence of ringspots on their surface? The frustration of such a situation is understandable, but we’re here to get you out of it.

Are you still wondering how to solve this problem and what could be causing it?

Look no further, as we have the answers you’ve been seeking. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TOSPOW) is the one causing trouble to your tomato field. If you want to understand its causes, learn how to identify it, and most importantly, discover effective strategies for tackling it head-on, then your search ends here. Dive into the content thoroughly to equip yourself with the knowledge to minimize your losses.

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Symptoms

Dark brown, bronze or black circular spots can appear on the leaves, starting as small lesions and gradually enlarging.
Infected leaves may show a yellowing or bronzing discoloration, starting from the edges and progressing inward.
Infected leaves may exhibit distortion, curling or crinkling. They may appear twisted or deformed compared to healthy leaves.
Affected plants may exhibit a wilted or drooping appearance, even when adequately watered.
The stems may display dark brown or black streaks, which may extend from the base to the upper parts of the plant.
Infected plants often exhibit stunted growth and show overall reduced vigor.
Circular or irregularly shaped ringspots appear on the surface of infected fruits, usually with a lighter or darker coloration compared to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Infected fruits may have a bumpy or rough texture on the surface.
Affected fruits may be deformed and ripen unevenly.
If the plant is affected at an earlier stage, it does not bear any fruit at all.

What causes TOSPO Virus?

TOSPO is primarily transmitted by thrips. These insects feed on infected plants and acquire the virus. They then spread the virus to healthy plants as they feed on them.
High temperatures, especially above 27°C, can enhance thrips activity and virus replication. Dry conditions can also lead to increased thrips movement, promoting virus transmission.
Use of more quantities of ammoniacal nitrogen to the crops.
The virus can infect several weed species, including pigweed, lambsquarters and nightshades. These weeds can serve as reservoirs for the virus and provide a constant source of infection for nearby tomato plants.
Tomato plants grown in close proximity to infected plants, whether they are tomatoes or other susceptible hosts, are at a higher risk of contracting TOSPO.

Ways to Prevent TOSPO Virus

Use tolerant varieties.
Use virus free planting material for planting.
Remove all the infected plants and destroy (burn) them at early infection stages to avoid the spread of virus.
Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Eliminate weed species that can act as alternative hosts for virus and thrips. Regularly remove weeds from your field to reduce the reservoir of the virus.
Avoid planting tomato plants near alternate hosts such as pepper and potato.
Avoid planting near infected crops.
Grow 2 – 3 rows of sorghum, maize or bajra as barrier crop around the field to reduce the movement of thrips from adjacent field.
Install sticky traps to monitor the thrips population.
Spray neem oil (1 – 2 ml/lit of water) at regular intervals from seedling stage of the crop to prevent feeding of thrips.
Give foliar spray of Magnum Mn (0.5 gm/lit of water) and V-Bind Bio viricide (2 – 3 ml/lit of water) to enhance the plant’s resistance to TOSPO virus and reduce the incidence of the disease.

Management of Vector, Thrips

As the virus is transmitted by vector i.e., thrips, controlling them can help to reduce the spread of disease in tomato crops.

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas yellow sticky trap	Sticky trap	6 – 8 per acre
Biological Management
Terra Might (Bio Pesticide)	Herbal formulation	3.3 – 6.6 ml/lit of water
Econeem Plus Biopesticide	Azadiractin 3000 PPM	2.5 – 3 ml/lit of water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.5 ml/lit of water
Dhanpreet Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20% SP	0.3 gm/lit of water
Gracia Insecticide	Fluxametamide 10% EC	0.8 ml/lit of water
Tatamida SL Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	1 ml/lit of water
Areva Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25% WG	0.4 gm/lit of water
Delegate Insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7% SC	0.9 ml/lit of water
Keefun Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit of water
Regent SC Insecticide	Fipronil 5 % SC	1.5 ml/lit of water

(Note: Check and follow the instructions given in product’s label to know the right time o application)

Further, click here to know the “Easy ways to get rid of TOSPO virus (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus)”

Pink Bollworm – A Serious Insect Pest Of Cotton Crop

By

Deepika M

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May 22, 2023

0

Pink Bollworm - A Serious Insect Pest Of Cotton Crop

Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) is a serious pest that affects cotton crops. The name “pink bollworm” refers to the pinkish hue of its larvae, which are caterpillars responsible for the most significant damage to cotton plants. It primarily infests the buds, flowers and bolls, causing substantial economic losses for cotton farmers. This pest is most active during the fruiting period of the cotton plant. It is expected to cause yield loss of more than 50%, if not managed.

Explore valuable insights into identifying pink bollworm infestation, accompanied by effective integrated pest management strategies. Also, discover how Bt cotton delivers a knockout blow to pink bollworm, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides and safeguarding your cotton crops.

Symptoms of Pink Bollworm in Cotton

Pink bollworm larvae bore into the cotton bolls and feed on the seeds and lint inside, leaving holes and tunneling marks.
The entry holes created by the larvae provide entry points for bacteria and fungi, leading to secondary infections.
They also feed on the flower buds and the affected flowers do not open, giving ‘rosette appearance’.
The larvae may create silken webbing within the cotton bolls. This webbing can be visible inside the bolls or between damaged bolls, indicating their presence.
The larvae and pupae can be found inside the bolls, and they are often pink in colour.
The burrowed holes are plugged by excreta (frass) of larvae due to their feeding inside seed kernels.
Infested bolls may open prematurely before reaching maturity. This exposes the seeds and lint to further damage from pests and environmental factors.
Premature dropping of infested buds and immature bolls.
It bores into bolls, through the lint and feeds on the cotton seeds. The seeds are destroyed and lint gets discoloured.

Economic Threshold Level (ETL)

If you observe 10% of affected flowers (rosette flowers) or 10% of green bolls with damage (at least 2 bolls out of 20 showing white or pink larvae or exit holes), or if you capture 8 moths per night in a pheromone trap for three consecutive days.

(*ETL – It is the pest population density or crop damage level at which the control measures need to be determined to prevent the increasing pest population)

Effective Management Strategies to control Pink Bollworm in Cotton

Cultural Control

Grow resistant varieties such as Bhakti cotton, Asha NCS 9011 BT-2 hybrid cotton seed.
Deep plough the soil during summer to expose and kill the pupa.
Crop rotation with soybean, maize or sorghum in alternate years can help to break pest’s lifecycle.
Plant early maturing cotton varieties to avoid the peak season of pink bollworm infestation.
Sow 5 rows of non-Bt cotton seeds at the borders. These will act as trap crop and attract the pink bollworms.

Mechanical Control

Destroy crop debris immediately after harvesting.
Remove and destroy alternate host of pink bollworm like okra.
Collect and dispose the fallen flowers, squares and bolls in the field.
Set up pheromone traps from 45 days after sowing or at flowering stage to till harvesting for monitoring the moth activity of pink bollworm.
For this purpose, install 6 – 7 Tapas Pink Bollworm lure with Funnel trap or 10 – 12 Gaiagen Pink Bollworm Lure & Insect Funnel trap for 1 acre field. This helps in mass trapping and destruction of pink bollworm.

Biological Control

Spray neem oil (5 ml/lit of water), 60 days after sowing.

Enhance pink bollworm control by spraying any of these biological agents in your cotton field at regular intervals;

Product name	Technical name	Dosage
Multiplex Metarhizium Liquid	Metarhizium anisopliae	10 gm/lit of water
Katyayani Organic Larvicide	Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki	10 ml/lit water
Royal Larvend	Plant extracts	2ml/lit of water
Tracer Insecticide	Spinosad 44.03% SC	0.4 ml/lit of water

Chemical Control

Initiate chemical control methods only when the pest population exceeds the economic threshold level (ETL). Avoid continuous use of chemical pesticide sprays and instead employ them in a rotational manner based on necessity.

Product name	Technical name	Dosage
Proclaim Insecticide or	Emamectin Benzonate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit of water
EM 1 Insecticide	Emamectin Benzonate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit of water
Ekalux Insecticide	Quinalphos 25 % EC	2 ml/lit of water
Ampligo Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole10 % + Lambdacyhalothrin 5% ZC	0.5 ml/lit of water
Takumi Insecticide	Flubendiamide 20% WG	0.5 gm/lit of water
Lancer Gold Insecticide	Acephate 50 % + Imidacloprid 1.8 % SP	2 gm/lit of water
Koranda Insecticide	Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	1.5 ml/lit of water
Tatafen Insecticide	Fenvalerate 10 % EC	2.5 ml/lit of water
Gharda Kite Insecticide	Indoxacarb 14.5% + Acetamiprid 7.7% SC	1 ml/lit of water

(*Note: Check the product’s label to follow the right time of application. Use a combination of cultural, mechanical and biological measures along with chemical control for effective management.)

Learn How to Manage Other Major Insect Pests in Cotton – Click here

Ever wondered about the role of genetically modified Bt cotton in controlling pink bollworm?

Bt cotton contains genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium, producing proteins (Cry toxins) toxic to pink bollworm and other pests. When pink bollworm larvae consume Bt cotton, these proteins disrupt their digestion and cause their death. The targeted action of these proteins minimizes the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, reducing harm to beneficial insects and environmental risks.

Bt cotton reduces pink bollworm damage and improves cotton yields in affected regions. However, continuous monitoring and resistance management are vital to ensure their long-term effectiveness. Over time, pink bollworm can develop resistance to the Cry toxins produced by Bt cotton with continuous exposure. Therefore, proper practices, such as planting refuges of non-Bt cotton, are encouraged to prevent or delay the development of resistance in pink bollworm populations.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY Scheme) for Farmers

By

Mahalakshmi S

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May 18, 2023

0

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY scheme)

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a scheme launched by the Central Government of India in 2007-08 with the core objective of providing financial assistance to states for promoting holistic growth in agriculture and allied sectors. RKVY scheme focuses on increasing public investment in agriculture and allied sectors promoting private sector participation and ensuring that the benefits of agricultural growth reach farmers and other stakeholders. Through the RKVY, the Central Government aims to encourage sustainable development in the agricultural sector and promote the overall growth of India’s rural economy.

Scheme Overview

Scheme Name: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
Scheme launched: 2007
Scheme Fund Allocated: Varies based on the state government’s proposals and approval from the Central Government
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Type of Government Scheme: Centrally sponsored by the Government of India (from 2014-15)
Scheme Type: National Scheme
Covered States: The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana covers all states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Objectives

Encouraging states to increase their investments in agriculture and allied sectors.
Providing states with greater flexibility and autonomy in designing and implementing agricultural programs.
Ensuring the preparation of agriculture plans at the district and state levels.
Aiming to reduce yield gaps in key crops to achieve sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
Maximizing the income of farmers and ensuring their welfare.
Taking an integrated approach to address the needs of agriculture and allied sectors.

Key Features of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Category	RKVY Scheme Details
Eligibility	All the State governments and Union Territories
Funding	Central government provides financial assistance to States in the ratio of 60:40, For North Eastern States and Himalayan States in the ratio of 90:10
Investment Areas	Research and development, extension services, seed production, strengthening of agricultural marketing infrastructure, value chain development and agriculture infrastructure development such as irrigation, soil health and land development
Private Sector Participation	Encourages public-private partnerships for infrastructure development and provides financial assistance to private entrepreneurs for setting up agro-processing units

Sub-Schemes of RKVY

Pilot interventions in the districts most vulnerable to drought.
Expanding the cultivation of cashew nuts to new areas.
Extending the benefits of the Green Revolution to Eastern India.
Implementing a program to diversify crops and increase agricultural productivity.
Developing additional fodder for livestock to support the agricultural sector.
Offering special incentives for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in dry land areas across 60,000 villages.
Promoting the integrated development of 60,000 rainfed villages focused on pulses.
Supporting the National Saffron Mission aimed at boosting saffron production in India.

Benefits of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Krishi Vikas Yojana encourages investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
Promotes sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
Ensures the benefits of agricultural growth reach farmers and other stakeholders.
Krishi Vikas Encourages private sector participation.

Drawback of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

The RKVY Yojana may not be useful for small-scale farmers who lack access to the information and resources required to avail of the benefits of the scheme.
The implementation of the scheme relies on the efficiency and effectiveness of state governments in utilizing the funds and implementing the proposed projects, which may not always be successful.
There may be a lack of proper monitoring and evaluation of the scheme’s impact on the ground, leading to inefficiencies and corruption.
The scheme’s focus on promoting private sector participation may lead to the increased commercialization of agriculture, which may not always benefit small and marginal farmers.
There may be a lack of coordination between different government departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the scheme, leading to a fragmented approach and suboptimal outcomes.

How to Implement?

Identification of Priority Areas: The central and state governments identify the priority areas and crops to be covered under the scheme based on various factors such as regional disparities, cropping patterns, and agro-climatic conditions.
Preparation of District and State Agriculture Plans: District and state-level agriculture plans are prepared with the involvement of farmers, agricultural scientists and other stakeholders. These plans outline the activities to be undertaken under the scheme, along with the estimated cost and expected outcomes.
Allocation of Funds: Once the plans are finalized, funds are allocated to the states based on the proposed activities and outcomes.
Implementation of Activities: States implement the planned activities such as setting up seed infrastructure, promoting organic farming, developing value chains and providing market linkages to farmers. They may also undertake other activities such as improving irrigation facilities, soil health management, and land development.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation are carried out to ensure that the activities are implemented as planned and achieve the expected outcomes. Feedback is also collected from farmers and other stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of the scheme.
Reporting and Review: States submit periodic progress reports to the central government, which reviews the progress made and provides feedback for further improvement.

Conclusion

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is an important initiative by the Central Government of India aimed at promoting agricultural growth and development. The scheme’s focus on encouraging state governments to increase their investment in agriculture and allied sectors, promoting private sector investment, and ensuring that the benefits of agricultural growth reach farmers and other stakeholders makes it an important program for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in India.

To explore another significant initiative aimed at promoting organic farming in India, check out Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which focuses on enhancing soil health and sustainable farming practices.

Tackling Sugarcane Top Shoot Borer: An Integrated Pest Management Guide

By

Mahalakshmi S

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May 17, 2023

0

Tackling Sugarcane Top Shoot Borer: An Integrated Pest Management Guide

The sugarcane top shoot borer, scientifically known as Scirpophaga excerptalis, is a notorious pest that poses a significant threat to sugarcane crops worldwide. Its larvae tunnel into the sugarcane stalks, feeding on the tender growing points and causing severe damage. If left unchecked, this pest can wreak havoc on your entire harvest, leading to a 21 to 37% reduction in cane yield and financial losses. This article will provide you with practical strategies to manage and control the top shoot borers population.

Adult moth of top shoot borer can be identified by its silvery white wings with feathery tips. Mature larvae are creamy white in color without stripes. Young plants are more susceptible to top shoot borer attack especially in humid environments.

Type of Infestation

The larvae of the top shoot borer infest the sugarcane plant by boring into the emerging leaves and stem, causing shot holes and dead heart symptoms.

Scientific Name: Scirpophaga excerptalis

Most Affected States Due to Sugarcane Top Shoot Borer

The exact distribution of top shoot borer in India is not well documented. However, they are major pests of sugarcane crops and are likely present in sugarcane-growing regions of the country.

Symptoms of Sugarcane Top Shoot Borer

Larvae are mainly found in the apical portion of canes, which borers into the growing point and sucks the sap from stem causing dead heart symptoms.
Dead hearts in grown up canes cannot be easily pulled out.
A parallel row of shot holes in the emerging leaves can be seen.
Red tunnels in the midrib of leaves can be observed.
Due to the growth of side shoots, the plant shows a bunchy top appearance.

Sugarcane Top Shoot Borer Control Measures

If you are worried about these sugarcane top shoot borer infestations, you should consider an integrated management strategy to control the pest population. Here are some effective measures that can help control sugarcane top shoot borers: