Srinagar, Dec 06: Directorate of Extension SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar has issued a fresh advisory for orchard sanitation, pruning, sowing of seed and other farming activities and advised farmers to take proper measures ahead of the snowfall.
Regarding apples, it suggested farmers remove twigs infested with pruning and dispose of them away from the orchards and apply Chaubatia paste on cut areas.
“Maintain good sanitation in infested orchards, all the dropped/infested fruits of apple or other fruits should be collected and buried deep in the soil. Burlaping should be practiced and overwintered stages should be destroyed along with the burlap,” it said.
The advisory said that the heavily infested branches, twigs and completely dried trees should be uprooted, removed from the orchard and burnt.
The advisory asked farmers to do the collection and destruction of fallen leaves. “Bury mummified and diseased fruits left in and around orchards in compost pits to avoid over-wintering of pathogens,” it said.
Regarding apples, it advised farmers to shift leftover harvested apples from orchids to on-farm storage structures or other protected structures.
“Due to persistent snowfall and decrease in temperature apples left in open spaces should be shifted to safe and protected storage structures where the temperature should be above zero degree to protect them from frost and chilling injuries,” it said.
The advisory recommends the removal of damaged, diseased, and underutilized fruits during the sorting and grading process.
“Graded apples always fetch a premium prize as the grower gains confidence of customers and customer gets satisfaction. Graded apples can be traded in the international market also. Conversion of C grade apples into processed products increases their value by many folds,” it said.
Regarding packaging, the advisory advised farmers to use CF boxes for packaging of graded apples using fibre trays. “Don’t use wooden boxes and avoid use of paddy straw as cushioning material. For long storage of apples in CA and Cold Stores, use either plastic crates or CF boxes with outer polyethylene lining or laminations,” it said.
The advisory said use of plastic crates or laminated CF Boxes don’t absorb moisture during long storage and as such maintain the quality and increase shelf life of apples.
For floriculture and landscape architecture, it suggested regular weeding, application of proper fertilizer doses, irrigation, right method of harvesting and post-harvest management.
Regarding the sowing of garlic it advised farmers to avoid diseased and damaged cloves. “Cloves should be planted deep to avoid frost injury. To ease out germination cloves should be planted upright not horizontally,” it said.
Regarding wheat, it advised farmers to ensure proper drainage by cleaning the channels and fields to avoid water stagnation during winter.
For livestock management, it said sanitation and cleanliness in and around the livestock sheds should be maintained.
“Multicomponent Clostridial vaccination (MCC) to pregnant ewes before one month of the expected date of lambing should be ensured for protection against Lamb dysentery, Struck, Pulpy kidney disease, Black disease and Braxy,” it said.
The advisory suggested broad spectrum anthelmintic (pregnancy safe) dosing to pregnant ewes before 7-15 days of the expected date of lambing as advised by the veterinarian.
