PAU Experts Caution Farmers Against Disease Attack On Potato And Pea

Ludhiana, December 4, 2015: The Plant Pathology experts of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have cautioned the farmers of Punjab against the attack of late blight disease in potato and rust, a fungal disease, in pea. According to the survey conducted by PAU scientists, the late blight disease has been noticed in the villages Maheteaana, Fuglana, Simbli, Monakalan, and Kalkat of Hoshiarpur district. Disclosing this information, Dr P.S. Sekhon, Head, Plant Pathology, PAU said the weather conditions during last week have been conducive for the attack of this disease, which if not checked, can spread quickly and affect the crop yield. About the symptoms of potato disease, Dr Sekhon said the water soaked spots appear on margins of the leaves which later turn into black patches with whitish fungus growth visible on lower surface in the morning hours. He advised the farmers to monitor their fields regularly and incase the symptoms of the disease are noticed, spray the crop with Indofil M-45 or Antracol or Kavach @ 500-700 g in 250 -350 litres of water to check its further spread. Repeat the spray at weekly intervals, if required, said.

Dr Sekhon further said the pea rust has also appeared in the villages Pham, Patti, Badla, Kharkeand Hariyian of Hoshiarpur district. With the development of this disease, yellow to dark coloured circular spots appear on the leaves, he told. Cautioning the farmers, he advised them to spray 400g of Indofil M-45 in 200 litres of water per acre. Repeat 2 or 3 sprays at 10 days interval to control the disease, he said.