Spring onset: SKUAST-K issues advisory for farmers

Srinagar, Mar 05: Ahead of spring season in Kashmir, Directorate of Extension SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar Sunday issued an advisory for the farmers and suggested guidelines for undertaking various farming activities in agriculture, horticulture etc.
Regarding horticulture, the advisory, which is meant for March month, suggested spraying of delayed dormant oil except for almond as per University recommendation.
“Weather advisory need to be followed before spray and Horticulture Mineral Oils (HMOs) should be sprayed at appropriate phonological stage of the crop (Fruits) which varies as per altitude,” it said.
Regarding hairy caterpillars in apple orchards, the advisory suggested that survey and monitoring of affected orchards should be done to establish red, yellow and green zones.
“Mass awareness about the pest among the farmers and proper sanitation in the vicinity of the orchard should be ensured. Collect and destroy fallen/infested fruits. Scrapping of dead/ loose bark and destroy overwintered larvae,” it said.
Regarding apple leaf blotch miner (ALBM), a pest that affects apple trees and has affected orchards in Zainapora Shopian, the advisory said the pest is a type of moth that lays its eggs on leaves of apple trees, and the larvae then burrow into leaves and create mines.
“These mines can cause significant damage to leaves, affecting the tree’s ability to photosynthesize and ultimately reducing fruit production,” it said.
“Survey and monitor the affected orchards to red, yellow and green zones while mass awareness about the pest among the farmers is vital,” it said. It mentioned that January to March is pupa stage overwintering in leaf litter, fruit & tree trunk.
For the ALBM, it advised farmers to ensure proper sanitation in the vicinity of the orchard and procure disease and pest-free planting material. As per the advisory if infestation of the ALBM persists, then spray can be repeated.
Regarding rodent management in horticulture, it said if the weather is dry, remove leftover debris and grasses from orchards to discourage rodents from the availability of food and shelter.
“Reduce the size of bunds or boundaries around the orchards up to 30 cm to force the rodents to leave the burrows,” it said.
Since rodents are a serious constraint in horticulture their effective control is only possible, if farmers work together as a community. “If treatment has been carried out during February then do not repeat during March,” the advisory said.
For apple orchards, it suggested farmers to use disease-free graft wood for grafting or top working operations. “Avoid water logging in orchards and nursery beds and ensure orchard sanitation,” it said.
Regarding vegetables, it has advised farmers to ensure deep ploughing of fields to expose insect pupae for desiccation/predation by birds. “Removal of weeds in the vicinity of crops to be planted to discourage egg laying by cut worms,” it said.
It advised farmers to prepare raised nursery beds and incorporate well decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 20 tons / ha.
For sowing of seeds in hot beds for Tomato, Brinjal, Chillies, Capsicum, it advised farmers to remove polythene cover during day time if it is too sunny.
Regarding potato planting, the advisory said potato tubers may be planted in plains of Kashmir valley from mid-March. “Planting must be done in furrows with spacing of 60 x 20 cm followed by ridge making (about 15 cm high) immediately,” it said.
“Only sprouted tubers should be used for planting. Medium-sized tubers should be planted, avoid oversized or small tubers. Each tuber should have at least one eye for ensuring proper germination of tubers. Seed treatment for initiation of sprouting is required only if freshly harvested seed is being used,” it added.
For fertilizer application in orchards, the advisory suggested applying the fertilizer three weeks before the expected bloom.
“Apply fertilizer under the canopy of trees away from the trunks. Fertilizer should be applied when sufficient moisture is present in the soil or immediately before rain is expected,” it said.
Regarding nursery/planting he advisory said before planting, proper decisions should be made on the selection of varieties, rootstocks, tree size, spacing, placement of pollinizer and planting layout.