Crop Protection: El Nino may increase the threat to crops, know easy ways to prevent pests and diseases

Changing weather patterns in Kharif season can increase the worries of farmers (Crop Protection). In case of less rainfall and increasing temperature, crops are hit double. On one hand the moisture in the fields decreases, on the other hand the risk of pests and diseases increases rapidly. In such situations, it becomes very important to take right steps in time.

Agricultural experts say that Season With changes in farming strategy should also change. If farmers adopt scientific methods from the beginning, crops can be saved from major losses and production can also be positively affected.

What effect does El Nino have on agriculture? Crop Protection

When El Nino is active, the monsoon may weaken, resulting in reduced rainfall and increased heat. Its biggest impact is on Kharif crops. Due to lack of water in paddy, sugarcane, soybean and other crops, plant growth may stop and production may be affected.

Risk of pests and diseases increases

In hot and dry weather, pests like aphids, white flies, tobacco caterpillars and stem borers spread rapidly (Crop Protection). At the same time, diseases like leaf curl virus, yellow mosaic and leaf blight can also harm crops. According to experts, plants become weak in such weather, due to which the risk of infection increases.

Most impact on paddy and sugarcane cultivation

Paddy and sugarcane are crops which require more water. When there is less rain, less shoots appear in paddy and the filling of grains in the ears gets affected. At the same time, the length, thickness and juice content of sugarcane may also decrease, which affects the income of farmers.

Protect crops like this

Experts advise farmers to do seed treatment before sowing, select drought tolerant varieties and adopt mulching to maintain moisture in the field. Water can be saved through techniques like direct sowing in paddy and drip irrigation in sugarcane.

It will be necessary to adopt scientific methods

Use fertilizer in a balanced manner and do not use excessive urea (Crop Protection). Regularly monitor the fields and adopt measures like pheromone traps and yellow sticky traps for pest control. Damage can also be reduced to a great extent by timely drainage and crop management.