Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Diseases

1. Rusts: Grow rust resistant varieties. Avoid late sowing because late sown crop is more susceptible to rusts. High dose of nitrogen favours rust infection, whereas, high potash dose reduces rust infection. Spray Zineb at 0.2 per cent or Dithane M-45 at 0.1 per cent after appearance of pustules. Second and third spray may be repeated with an interval of 10-15 days.

Fig:Stem rust. Fig: Leaf rust.

2. Loose Smut:Grow loose smutresistant varieties. Production of black powder in place of wheat grains in the ears. Uproot the infected plants, burry them into soil or burn. Seed treatment with Vitavex @ 2.5g/kg of seed before sowing.
3. Kernel Burnt: Black powder in the grains and foul smell.Select resistant varieties. Avoid continuous cropping of wheat in the same field. Avoid excessive irrigation during flowering stage. Select disease free seeds and treat the seeds with CerasonAgrosan@ 2.5g/kg seed.
4. Alternaria Leaf Blight: Apply adequate quantity of fertilizer and water. Treat the seeds with Vitavax @ 2.5g/kg seed. Spray Dithane M-45 orZineb @ 0.2 per cent.
5. Powdery Mildew: Select resistant varieties. Spray mixture of Dithane M-45 andKarathane in the ratio of 4:1 @ 2kg/ha. The spray should be repeated twice at an interval of 10-15 days.