Advisory ArticleAgroStar Agronomy Centre of Excellence
Pigeon pea-wilting problem
In the coming season, the most commonly observed problem for pigeon pea would be wilting. The main reason for fungal wilting disease is more water and then the land becoming suddenly dry. Along with it as the temperature in the month of Bhadrapada is increasing, the Pigeon Pea plants are drying up on the spot. Generally, the symptoms observed are that leaves near the soil start yellowing and then gradually the plant withers or all the leaves are green but suddenly dried up.
Though the planting of pigeon pea was done in June, the flowering stage comes around this period so wilting becomes a serious problem that affects the production. If these type of plants are observed in a particular patch of the farm then there is need to conduct management practices for the whole farm. Otherwise, the number of plants per acre decreases drastically and it becomes difficult to get the expected yield. Let us see some solutions for wilting disease:
1. As a preventive measure, seed treatment with fungicide should be done at the time of sowing.
2. All weeds in the farm should be uprooted by hoeing or by using labor so that the soil becomes porous and white roots get stimulus.
3. When there is a light rain, mix the fungicides Trichoderma + Pseudomonas together and apply 1 kg/acre each. While using this, the soil needs to have good moisture. To spread evenly, mix it with 2 bowls of well composted FYM or vermiculture and then spread this mixture near the plant like a rangoli.
4. After the rain takes a break in the month of Shravan, apply fungicide in the soil. Apply Copper-oxy-chloride @ 1 kg/acre or SAAF @ 500 gm/acre or Ridomil @500 gm/acre with fertilizers if possible or by drenching using pump.
5. After any of the above treatments, it is necessary to give light protective irrigation to the pigeon pea to maintain WAFSA condition.
For more information about Pigeon Pea (Tur) and other crops, give a miss call on AgroStar’s toll free number 1800 3000 7345.