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Wilt Disease Scientists Solutions: The outbreak of Fusarium wilt disease has increased on chilli crop. Scientists of Agricultural University, Pusa have advised to avoid neem extract, garlic oil and biological agents. Farmers can protect their chilli crops from these pests with this method. Besides, the crop yield will also be very good.
Sitamarhi: The incidence of wilt disease on chilli crops is continuously increasing in the district. Due to which farmers are afraid of huge financial loss. According to scientists of Agricultural University, Pusa, this disease is soil borne. If timely management is not done, chilli plants wither and become barren. At present, when the chilli crop in the fields is in the fruiting stage, then the risk of this disease remains high. Scientists say that by adopting scientific techniques and integrated disease management, effective prevention of this disease is possible at low cost. Farmers can get good yields.
Fusarium Wilt Disease Serious Problem
Chilli is an important vegetable and spice crop, which belongs to the Solanaceae family and Capsicum genus. Chilli is used as a spice in both green and ripe state. It is used for taste and color in many dishes including sauces, chutneys, pickles. India is a major producer and consumer of chilli in the world, but this crop is also considered sensitive to many diseases. Among these, Fusarium wilt disease has emerged as a serious problem in the last decade, which is caused by the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani.
Its complete control is not possible with chemicals alone.
According to agricultural scientists, wilt disease spreads rapidly in dry weather and favorable soil moisture. Its symptoms include curling of leaves, chlorosis, necrosis, gradual withering of plants and ultimately drying. This disease causes serious damage to chillies at all stages of flowering and fruiting. Since this disease is soil borne, its complete control is not possible with chemicals alone. The disease can spread from one field to another through contaminated soil, irrigation water and air.
Manage with Neem extract and garlic oil
To prevent wilt disease, scientists have advised to adopt disease resistant varieties. Varieties like Arka Lohit, Pusa Jwala, Pant C-2 and Jawahar-218 have been found to be relatively more tolerant. Apart from this, biological agents like Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum act as effective biocontrol against Fusarium wilt. Scientists said that Neem extract and garlic oil have also proved useful in the management of this disease in diseased plants, which is a cheap and eco-friendly option for farmers.
Manage this way, you will have control
Farmers can control this disease to a great extent by adopting chemical and integrated disease management. Before sowing, it is beneficial to treat the seeds with Carbendazim 50 WP, Captan 50 WP or Thiram 75 DS at 2.5 grams per kilogram of seed. It is also useful to dip the roots of the seedlings in a solution of Carbendazim (0.1 percent) or Captan (0.2 percent) before transplanting. In integrated management, by using vermicompost, Trichoderma in soil and trenching with medicines like Saf or Roco M, farmers can protect chilli crop from wilt disease and get better production.
