Around 100 farmers from five blocks of the district took part in a one-day awareness programme on usage of bio pesticides in crops at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Virinjipuram recently.
Farmers from Gudiyatham, Alangayam, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi and K.V. Kuppam participated in the programme that was jointly organised by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru and KVK, a press release said. M. Pandiyan, professor and head, Agricultural Research Station (ARS) and KVK spoke on the importance of farm yard manure for maintaining soil health and its role in organic agriculture.
Farmers were advised to enrich the farm yard manure, poultry waste, and leaf litters with bio pesticides before application for effective pest control.
Prophylactic application of bio control agents such as “Pseudomonas” and “Trichoderma viride” can control crop diseases.
Many crops such as tomato, brinjal, gourds, banana and crossandra cultivated in Vellore were affected by nematodes. This can be better managed by use of bio control agent “Paecilomyces lilacinus,” the release said.
B. Narayanasamy, principal scientist (extension), IIHR listed the technologies available for horticultural crops, the release added.
They are advised to enrich the farm yard manure, poultry waste, and leaf litters with bio pesticides before application