Sporadic incidence of aphids on wheat crop in Gurdaspur

Ludhiana, Mar 6 (UNI) Agriculture scientists have observed sporadic incidence of aphids on wheat crop during the surveys of some areas in Gurdaspur.

According to Dr N S Buttar, Head, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) aphids suck the sap from developing grains making them shriveled. Further these tiny insects excrete honey dew on which sooty mould develops on foliage which look sticky and dark.

However, he cautioned against indiscriminate use of insecticides saying application of insecticides should be based on the population count of the pest (ETL).

He advised farmers to supervise their wheat fields and count aphids from 40 plants, 10 per quarter of the field. ''If, on an average, more than five aphids are noticed on a single earhead, only then the crop needs to be sprayed,'' said Dr Butter.

''The build up of aphids generally starts from boundaries of the fields, necessitating the spray around the boundaries. In case aphid attack is observed in the entire field, only then the whole field should be treated with insecticides.

Dr Butter said aphids can be effectively controlled by spraying 150 ml Metasystox 25 EC or Dimethoate 30 EC or Nuvacron 36 SL using 80-100 litre water per acre.

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