A large number of farmers are sowing new crop without the knowledge of seed treatment that can lead them to good yield.
It's a sign of the failure of Punjab agriculture department to take the basic knowledge of the sowing methods of wheat to farmers. When the sowing is over in many parts of the Malwa region, the department has come out to recommend the treatment of seeds with fungicides.
Agriculture expert Jaswinder Singh Brar demonstrated the use of seed-treating drum to farmers on the government seed farm at Raunta village in Moga district. "Seed treatment gives the seedlings a head start by protecting these from fungal and bacterial diseases," said Brar. "It may also prevent the early onset of disease and minimise problems with loose smut. Crops often fails to give the best yield because the attack of the bacteria and diseases."
Treatments are most beneficial for seeds infected prior to sowing or when these are sown in cool and wet soil. "Treatments minimises stand reduction resulting from the infection and death of the seedlings that are under attack by soil-borne pathogens," said Brar. "Insects and diseases attack the crop from germination to harvest."
Brar recommended that wheat seeds be treated with fungicides such as Raxil (1gram per kilogram seed) or Vitavax (2 grams per kg seed) for the control of many seed- and soil-borne diseases.
Seed treatment shouldn't be done with bare hands. Instead, farmers should use the treating drum. To ensure proper covering of fungicide over seed, rotate the drum both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Brar recommended that wheat seeds be treated with fungicides such as Raxil (1gram per kilogram seed) or Vitavax (2 grams per kg seed) for the control of many seed- and soil-borne diseases.
Seed treatment shouldn't be done with bare hands. Instead, farmers should use the treating drum. To ensure proper covering of fungicide over seed, rotate the drum both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
The benefits
Seed treatments is important for many reasons. "It controls seed-transmitted pathogens that may be borne internally or on the surface of the seed," said Darshan Singh Brar, chief agriculture officer (CAO) of Moga. "Fungicides control soil-borne pathogens that cause blights, and the damping of the root and seedling. The fungicide-insecticide combination controls insect pests such as termite, root aphid and gujhia weevil, which results in healthy, vigorous seedling."
We take care: Minister
Former agriculture minister Tota Singh has claimed that more than 85% farmers of the state were aware of the importance of seed treatment because the state government had made efforts to promote latest methods of farming.