a)   Agricultural Entomology

Okra

For the control of sucking pests (jessids and aphids) in kharif okra grown under South Saurashtra Agro climatic zone, seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 2.8 g per kg seed (ICBR 1: 17.06) or imidacloprid 70 WS @ 7.5 g per kg seed (ICBR 1:12.97) is found effective and recommended.

Groundnut

Groundnut growers are advised to store the sun-dried groundnut pods for seed purpose in gunny bags after mixing with mint leaf powder @ 2.5 per cent (ICBR 1:4.0) to protect from the infestation of bruchid (Caryedon serratus Oliver ) up to 120 days.

Wheat

Two applications (first at tillering stage and second at milky stage) of coumatetralyl 0.0375 per cent wax cake (ICBR 1:22.09) @ 10 g per live burrow are recommended as an alternative to bromadiolone 0.005 per cent wax cake recommended earlier for effective control of rodents in wheat crop.

Castor

The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing castor crop are advised to spray cypermethrin 0.01 per cent (ICBR 1:8.20) or methyl-o-demeton 0.025 per cent (ICBR 1:7.94) or dimethoate 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:6.97), first at initiation of infestation and second after 15 days of first spray for effective control of leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii Burg).

Castor

Two sprays (first at initiation of infestation and second at 15 days after first spray) of any one of the following insecticides viz., chlorpyriphos 0.05 per cent (ICBR 1:7.95) or cypermethrin 0.015 per cent (ICBR 1:7.49) or quinalphos 0.05 per cent (ICBR 1:4.05) are recommended for the control of semilooper( Achaea janata L.) and leaf eating caterpiller ( Spodoptera litura Fab. ) in castor crop grown under South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone.

Sesame

For effective control of sesamum mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) in South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, two sprays (first at initiation of infestation and second after 15 days of first spray) of dicofol 0.02 per cent (ICBR 1:5.93) or dimethoate 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:2.86) or wettable sulphur 0.2 per cent (ICBR 1:2.10) are recommended.

Forage sorghum

The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing forage sorghum as a green fodder crop during kharif season are advised to use 10 per cent higher seed rate (44 kg/ha) over the recommended seed rate (40 kg/ha) for effective and economical (ICBR 1:2.90) management of shootfly ( Atherigona soccata ).

Chickpea

For the eco-friendly management of Halicoverpa armigera in chickpea in South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, two spraying of kadvi mehadi leaf extract (ICBR 1:5.12) or mamejva leaf extract (ICBR 1:4.67) or Jatropha leaf extract (ICBR 1:4.41) or  five per cent neem leaf extract (ICBR 1:4.12) or cartap hydrochloride 0.1 per cent (ICBR 1:1.93) at 15 days interval from the date of pest infestation is recommended.

Coriander

Integrated pest management module for coriander aphid comprising of sowing of coriander in 1^st week of October and releasing coccinellid predators @ 400 adults/ha (ICBR 1:8.10) or IPM module comprising of sowing of coriander in 1^st week of October and spray of endosulfan 0.07 per cent at ETL of 1.0 aphid index / plant (ICBR 1:5.00) is recommended for South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone.

Summer Okra

For the control of sucking pests (jassid and aphid) in summer okra, seed treatment of thiamethoxam @ 2.8 g/kg seeds (ICBR 1:12.28) or imidacloprid @ 5 g/kg seed (ICBR 1:11.51) is recommended for South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone.

Fenugreek

For the control of pest complex (jassid, thrips and leaf-miner) of fenugreek in South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, two sprays of dimethoate 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:7.97) or methyl-o-demeton 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:5.68) at 15 days interval starting from pest infestation are recommended.

Pomegranate

For the control of fruit borer (Virachola isocrates) of pomegranate in South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, two sprays of endosulfan 0.07 per cent or dichlorvos 0.05 per cent or monocrotophos 0.04 per cent or malathion 0.05 per cent at 15 days interval starting from pest infestation are recommended.

Groundnut

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zoneare advised to apply karanj cake (ICBR 1:6.86) or castor cake (ICBR 1:5.62) @ 250 kg/ha in furrow at the time of sowing for the management of pod borer (Penthicoides seriatoporus Fairmaire) in groundnut under dry farming condition.

Pigeonpea

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to adopt the bio-intensive module consisting of the first spray of HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha at ETL of 10 larvae/20 plants followed by second spray of neem seed kernel extract 5 per cent after 15 days of first spray (ICBR 1:1.95).

Pigeonpea

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are recommended to adopt the insecticidal module consisting of the first spray of endosulfan 35 EC 0.07 per cent applied at ETL of 10 larvae/20 plants followed by second spray of monocrotophos 36 EC, 0.036 per cent after 15 days of first spray (ICBR 1:7.97) for the management of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa) in pigeonpea cultivated in dry farming areas.

Cotton

For the control of pink bollworm in cotton, farmers of Saurashtra region are advised to spray quinalphos 25 EC @ 500 g a.i./ha (ICBR 1:3.18) or spinosad 45 SC @ 50 g a.i./ha (ICBR 1:3.10) as and when pest crosses the ETL (10 male moths/pheromone trap/day).

IPM – Cotton

For the management of insect pests of cotton, the following IPM strategies are recommended for farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone (ICBR 1:5.70).

1. Seed treatment with imidacloprid @ 10 g/kg seeds.

2. Collection of infested shoots of spotted bollworm in the early stage.

3. Installation of pheromone trap @ 5/ha one week after germination.

4. Early three releases of Chrysoperla @ 10,000 eggs/1st instar larvae/ha.

5. Spraying of neem formulation (Azadirachtin 0.0035 %) or NSKE 5 per cent.

6. Four times releases of Trichogramma @ 1.5 lakh/ha with the intiation of egg laying of the pest.

7. Spraying of HaN PV @ 450 LE/ha for Helicoverpa armigera.

8. Hand collection of eggs and larvae of Helicoverpa armigera.

9. Planting of maize as intercrop (10:1), marigold and castor as trap crops in and around the cotton field.

10.Need based application of insecticides for sucking pests and bollworms based on ETL.

 Mustard

The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing mustard crop are advised to apply first spray of insecticide cypermethrin + profenofos 44 EC 0.04 per cent (ICBR 1:9.65) or acephate 75 WP 0.05 per cent (ICBR 1:8.92) or imidacloprid 17.8  SL 0.005 per cent (ICBR 1:7.68) or methyl-o-demeton 25 EC 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:5.92) or carbosulfan 25 EC 0.03 per cent (ICBR 1:5.17) at appearance of aphids and second spray after 15 days of first spray.

Sesame

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone cultivating sesame crop under rainfed condition are advised to initiate the control measures against leaf roller through adoption of alternate spray of endosulfan 0.07 per cent and monocrotophos 0.04 per cent when the population reach at the ETL of 5 larvae/20 plants (ICBR,1:4.81).

Sesame

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing sesame are advised to take plant protection measures from 28 days after sowing (DAS) for the control of leaf roller and 42 DAS for gall fly. Moreover, the farmers are further advised to take care that the leaf roller infestation is found more when there is more rainfall/rainy days and gall fly infestation is more when there is low rain/dry period.

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to store the well dried coriander seeds in plastic coated jute  bag ( ICBR 1:11.57 )or high density polyethylene (HDPE) bag 35 micron (ICBR 1:7.23) to protect from the infestation of cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne Fab.) up to 10 months of storage after harvesting.

Coriander

 Fenugreek

For effective and economical management of jassid in fenugreek, farmers of South Saurashtra region are advised to treat the seed with thiamethoxam 70 WS@ 2.8 gm/kg seed (CBR 1:2.12).

Chickpea

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to apply low volume spray of endosulfan 0.21 per cent (Endosulfan 1.2 litre in 200 l water/ha) through power sprayer (ICBR,1:7.66) twice, starting from 50 per cent flowering and second at 15 days after first spray for effective and economic control of pod borer in chickpea.

For effective and economic management of Heliothis armigera in chickpea, farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to spray fenvalerate 0.02  % at 50 per cent flowering followed by second spray of endosulfan 0.07  % at 50 per cent pod formation (CBR 1:9.85).

Dillseed

For effective and economical management of aphid in dillseed, seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70 % WS @ 4.2 g/kg seed (CBR 1:5.29) or imidacloprid 70 % WS @ 10 g/kg seed (CBR 1:1.69) is recommended under South Saurashtra region.

Cumin

For effective and economical management of thrips in cumin, seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70 % WS @ 4.2 g/kg seed (CBR 1:9.22) or imidacloprid 70 % WS @ 10 g/kg seed (CBR 1: 2.58) is recommended under South Saurashtra region.

Tomato

Seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70 % WS @ 4.2 g/kg seed or imidacloprid 70 % WS @ 7.5 g/kg seed is recommended under South Saurashtra region for effective management of whitefly and leaf miner attacking tomato nursery and there by to obtain higher numbers of transplantable seedlings.

Groundnut (kharif)

For effective and economical management of white grubs in kharif groundnut, seed treatment with chlorpyriphos 20EC @ 25 ml/kg seed (CBR1:11.00) or furrow application of phorate 10G @ 25 kg/ha (CBR 1:7.69) at the time of sowing or drenching of chlorpyriphos 20EC (0.1 %) (50 ml/10 lit water) in plant row after 15 days of germination (CBR 1:4.67) is recommended under South Saurashtra region.

Note: General treatments of spraying of carbaryl 0.2 % on host trees viz., babul, neem and ber trees surrounding the field within three to four days of pre-monsoon rain, spraying of crop with monocrotophos 0.05 % and installation of light trap are to be followed.

Custard apple

For effective management of mealy bugs in custard apple, the module comprising dusting methyl parathion 2 % dust @ 25 kg/ha on the ground; spraying with methyl parathion 50EC (10 ml/10 lit water) on the stem and spraying of quinalphos 25EC (20 ml/10 lit water) at pest appearance on shoots followed triazophos 40EC (10 ml/10 lit water) after 15 days of first spray is recommended under South Saurashtra region.

Castor

For effective and economical management of wireworm in castor, seed treatment of carbaryl 50WP @ 5 g/kg seed (CBR 1:507) or carbosulfan 25 DS @ 5 g/kg seed (CBR 1:118) or imidacloprid 70WS @ 5 g/kg seed (CBR 1:37) is recommended under South Saurashtra region.

Castor

For effective and economical management of thrips in castor, spraying of acephate, 0.05 %, (CBR 1:17.86) or dimethoate, 0.03 %, (CBR 1:14.01) or profenophos 40 % + cypermethrin 4 %, 0.044 %, (CBR 1:12.24) at appearance of pest is recommended.

Castor

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone cultivating castor under rainfed condition are advised to apply granulosis virus @ 300 LE/ha at ETL (4 larvae/plant) for control of semi looper. The spray should be done in late evening hours and wetting agent (Sandovit) @ 10 ml and UV protectant (Ranipal) 1 g should be mixed in 10 lit of spray solution.

Wheat

The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to treat seeds with PSM culture either PBA 17 (Bacillus coagulans) (ICBR: 1:3.27) or PBA 13 (B. coagulans) (ICBR : 1:3.21) (108 cfu/g) @ 50 g/kg seeds in wheat crop in the place of recommended phosphatic fertilizer.

Castor

For effective management of root rot disease and thereby to obtain higher yield of castor, farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to apply neem cake (ICBR 1:7.91) or mustard cake (ICBR 1:5.05) @ 500 kg/ha along with Trichoderma harzianum @ 5 kg/ha in furrow just before sowing.

Sesame

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to spray matalaxyl @ 0.2 per cent (ICBR 1:2.55) or mancozeb @ 0.2 per cent (ICBR 1:9.63) thrice at 15 days interval starting from initiation of disease for the effective management of Phytophthora blight disease of sesame.

For effective management of die-back in custard apple, farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to spray carbendazim @ 0.1 per cent (ICBR 1:5.65) thrice at 30 days interval starting after pruning of diseased braches i.e. in first week of June.

Mango

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to apply six sprays of carbendazim @ 0.1 per cent at 60 days interval starting after pruning of diseased branches before monsoon for the control of die-back of twig in younger mango (cv. Kesar) plants.

Garlic

For effective management of Stemphylium leaf blight disease of garlic, the farmers of South Saurashtra agro climatic zone are advised to apply first spray of carbendazim @ 0.05 per cent and subsequent three sprays of hexaconazole @ 0.008 per cent (ICBR 1:31.75) or four sprays of either thiophanate methyl @ 0.05 per cent (ICBR 1:23.11) or mancozeb @ 0.2 per cent (ICBR 1:16.32) during rabi season at 10 days interval starting from initiation of blight disease.

For the control of blast disease of pearl millet, two sprays of carbendazim 0.05 per cent (ICBR 1:3.85) at 15 days intervals starting from the initiation of the disease are recommended.

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to use tebuconazole @ 1.25 g/kg as seed treatment (ICBR 1:51.12) to reduce the collar rot disease of groundnut.

Tomato

For the management of early blight of tomato in South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, seed treatment with captan @ 3 g/kg seeds, application of carbofuran @ 1kg a.i./ha in seed bed and covering of nursery with nylon net (400 mesh) after sowing and after transplanting four sprays of mancozeb @ 0.3 per cent (ICBR 1:7.09) during rabi season at 15 days interval starting from initiation of early blight disease are recommended.

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to apply phosphate solubilizing microorganism cultures either PBA-13 (Bacillus coagulans) (CBR 1:28.79) or PBA-20 (Aspergillus spp.) (CBR 1:22.95) or PBA-10 (B. coagulans) (CBR 1:21.60) (10⁸ viable cells/g) as seed treatment @ 30 g/kg seed in gram crop in place of phosphatic fertilizer. 

Groundnut-Castor relay crop

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to sow groundnut with castor as relay crop (Row ratio of 2:1) along with soil application of carbofuran 3 G @ 1 kg a.i./ha (Furadan 3G @ 33 kg/ha) to reduce the root knot nematode disease (Meloidogyne arenaria)and to get higher yield (CBR 1: 2.35).

Fenugreek

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to sow fenugreek in third or fourth week of October for maximum yield and minimum powdery mildew disease incidence.

Green gram 

Black gram

Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone are advised to apply two sprays of hexaconazole 0.005 % (CBR 1:24.42) or carbendazim 0.05 % (CBR 1:22.84); first spray at initiation of disease and second spray at 20 days after first spray for effective and economical management of powdery mildew of black gram.

Onion (kharif)

Farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone, growing kharif onion nursery are advised to adopt any one of the following treatments in the raised bed nursery after 15 days of soil solarization to get maximum transplantable seedlings at economical cost.

Seed treatment with thiram 75 % SD (3 g/kg seed) and drenching with thiram 75 % WP (0.2 %) @ 3 litre/m² after 10 days of seed sowing (CBR 1:3.94).

OR

Seed treatment with thiram 75 % SD (3 g/kg seed) and drenching with copper oxychloride 0.2 %) @ 3 litre/m² after 10 days of seed sowing (CBR 1:3.10).

OR

Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum (2 x 10⁶ cfu) @ 5 g/kg seed and drenching of T. harzianum (0.5 %) @ 3 litre/m² after 10 days of seed sowing (CBR 1:3.70).

OR

Seed treatment with carbendazim 50 % WP (3 g/kg seed) and drenching of carbendazim 0.1 % @ 3 litre/m² after 10 days of seed sowing (CBR 1:3.12).