PAU Holds Brain Storming Session On Agrochemicals

Ludhiana, November 22, 2016: A one-day brain storming session on “Agrochemicals and Spray Technology” was organized at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The deans, directors, farm experts from various departments of PAU, and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres of Punjab, participated in the session, which was conducted by the Department of Entomology, PAU.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, stressed on minimizing the use of agrochemicals and making their judicious use for the protection of environment. Different aspects of spray technology with focus on equipment need to be studied and revaluated, he said. “The careful use of pesticides resulted in the successful management of whitefly in Punjab this year,” he added.

Speaking on the topic, “Modern Pesticide Application Equipment,” Dr Y.C. Bhatt, former Professor, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, said different types of equipment such as hand sprayer, knapsack sprayer, knapsack battery operated sprayer, food and rocking sprayer, tractor operated boom sprayer, self-propelled power sprayer, granular applicator and aerial applicator are available for the farmers. Referring to electrostatic spraying, he said the technology saves time and materials, and provides consistent coverage. The tower sprayer is used for spraying inside the orchards whereas aerial spraying is used for large scale application, he added. Dwelling on the use of drones for spraying, Dr Bhatt said a drone can survey the crop every week, every day and every hour. It is easy to use, increases the yield, saves time and tells about the true health of the crop, he observed. “An important part of spraying is a ‘nozzle,’ which atomizes liquid into droplets, disperses droplets in a specific pattern and provides hydraulic momentum,” he said. Dr Bhatt also explained about the crop production losses caused by different pests and diseases, application methods of spraying, equipment calibration, and maintenance of sprayers.

Dr P.K. Patanjali, Chief Formulation Scientist - H, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology, Gurugram, delivered a talk on the “Advances in Formulation Technology.” He dwelt on the conventional as well as new generation formulations.

Dr Subhash Chand, Deputy Director Chemistry, Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad, gave a detailed presentation on the “Insecticides Act 1968.”

Earlier, Dr R.K. Gumber, Director of Research, welcomed the PAU VC, guest speakers and the farm scientists. He underlined the need for reducing the environmental pollution by making optimal use of agrochemicals.

Later, Dr R.S. Gill, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, proposed the vote of thanks.