When it comes to sugarcane, India stands as a primary producer of this crop. Sugarcane is extensively cultivated in the northern states of the country, with Uttar Pradesh being a significant contributor. The Uttar Pradesh government supports sugarcane farmers by providing a support price, a initiative recently reinforced by the government. However, cultivating sugarcane successfully requires protecting the crop from various diseases, which is crucial for achieving a good yield. Let's explore the beneficial methods for sugarcane cultivation.
Typically, sugarcane cultivation demands a significant amount of water, but it also comes with a heightened risk of diseases. Farmers need to put in extra effort to protect sugarcane crops from diseases. One such harmful disease is Red Dot or Lal Sardan, which significantly affects sugarcane, sometimes leading to its destruction. This disease is also known as sugarcane cancer due to its severe impact on the crop after infection.
The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council has outlined the symptoms of this disease to aid farmers. Red Dot is a fungus-borne disease, manifesting as red spots resembling a pearl necklace on the lower side of the leaves from April to June. The third or fourth leaf of the affected sugarcane begins to dry from the edges in July-August, initiating the drying of the entire canopy. If the sugarcane is cut, a red color inside and white spots can be observed. The internal part of the sugarcane emits a smell similar to vinegar or alcohol.
Agricultural scientists recommend that farmers avoid planting variety 0238 in areas where Red Dot disease has a significant impact. Instead, they should prepare a disease-free nursery of approved sugarcane varieties for planting. Before planting, the cut pieces of sugarcane should undergo chemical treatment with 0.1% Carbendazim 50 WP or Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP fungicide.
Additional Measures for Farmers: Farmers can enhance the health of sugarcane crops by incorporating organic treatments into the soil. Mixing 10 kilograms per hectare of Trichoderma or Pseudomonas culture with 100-200 kilograms of compost containing 20-25% moisture is recommended. Farmers should identify and remove plants along with their roots based on the base of the disease spot, resembling Rudraksha or a pearl necklace. Placing 10-20 grams of bleaching powder in the hole or drenching with 0.2% Thiophanate Methyl solution can be an effective way to eliminate the removed plants. The aforementioned procedures should be consistently followed from April to June, and a 0.1% Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP or Carbendazim 50 WP foliar spray can be applied from July to August if the disease is evident.
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