Farmers urged to drain out excess water from fields

Rain water stagnated in a chilli crop at Bollapalli village in Guntur district. Crops in some thousands of acres were inundated due to incessant rains for the last four days. Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

Scientists of the Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Lam Farm, advised the chilli farmers to lift the fallen saplings in the fields and spray fertilizers and pesticides to protect the crops from diseases.

If the crop is completely damaged, alternative crops should be planted after removing the damaged saplings, said Dr. YSR Horticultural University Regional Research Station Head and Principal Scientist Dr. L. Naram Naidu.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Mr. Naidu said farmers sowed chilli in Sattenapalli, Amaravathi, Macherla, Peddakurnapadu, Pidiguralla, Peddanandipadu and other areas in Guntur district. But due to the heavy downpour since a week water had stagnated in the fields which could cause a loss to horticulture crops.

“Due to high moisture content plants cannot take nutrients and fungal diseases may affect them causing loss. Vegetables, chilli and turmeric farmers were suggested to take preventive measures depending on the age and condition of the crop,” said another scientist Dr. C. Venkata Ramana. The Principal Scientist said that farmers should drain out the excess water from the fields and clear the sand dunes or mud, if formed immediately. Farmers are advised to spray 2 per cent urea twice within a week for early recovery since the root system is unable to absorb nutrients from the soil.

Nurseries should be drenched with copper oxychloride at three gm per litre or metalaxyl at two gm per litre to control diseases.

Likewise, copper oxychloride should be sprayed on the plants at three gm per litre to prevent soil-borne fungal diseases, said another scientist Dr. C. Sarada. “After the crop attains normal condition, the field should be inter-cultivated and the farmers are advised to apply 30 kg urea, 15 kg MOP and 200 kg neem cake along with recommended dose of fertilizers,” said Mr. Venkata Ramana.