&w=3840&q=100)
UP mango farmers warned of pest risk after rain, hailstorm hit state
Uttar Pradesh contributes one-third to the country's total mango production of 24 million tonne. Dashehari, Langra, Chuasa, and Amrapali are key mango varieties grown in the state.
According to T Damodaran, Director of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, while the overall mango yield may not be impacted in Uttar Pradesh, some pockets of mango-growing regions may see pest attacks due to humid weather conditions following the rainfall and hailstorm.
"Fruit flies and thrips in mango crops can increase post rains due to humid conditions and moisture in the soil, which are favourable for these pests' development and activity," he said, adding that farmers need to manage these pests after rainfall.
Damodaran explained that if timely control of the first generation of fruit flies is not undertaken, their population will multiply in successive waves, coinciding with the ripening of the main mango crop. By the time the mangoes reach marketable maturity, the fly population can become alarmingly high.
To control pests, Damodaran suggested that 'methyl eugenol traps' are an effective and eco-friendly method for managing male fruit flies, especially in mango. These traps are available in the market and can be installed by hanging them at a height of 1.5 to 2 metres, preferably in semi-shaded areas inside the tree canopy.
Jaggery-based poison bait may be used to control adult fruit flies. About 20 grams of jaggery mixed with 100 parts water and 1 millilitre/litre of contact insecticide (such as Malathion 50 EC) may be used to prepare the bait. Farmers should do spot spraying of this poison bait mixture on tree trunks, lower branches, and foliage.
The spraying should be avoided during rain or in bright midday sun, and should be applied in the morning or late afternoon. This may be repeated every 7-10 days.
For the control of thrips, any of the insecticides such as Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (0.3 ml/L) or Thiamethoxam 25% WG (0.3 g/L) or Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) or Tolfenpyrad 15% EC at 1.5 ml/L may be used.
For semiloopers and Dudua (paired fruit borer), Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) may be sprayed by targeting the new flush and fruits, he added.
Bijnor, Saharanpur and Lucknow are some of the key growing areas that received rainfall on Wednesday.
Mango fruit will be harvested in Uttar Pradesh from June.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Time of India
Climate impact: India's marine fish landings dip 2% in 2024
Kochi: Disruptions in climate patterns led to a 2% drop in India's marine fish landings in 2024, with the total catch falling to 3.47 million tonnes (MT) from 3.53 MT in 2023, according to the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Gujarat retained its top position in marine fish landings with 7.54 lakh tonnes (LT), followed by Tamil Nadu at 6.79 LT and Kerala at 6.10 LT. According to the CMFRI report, cyclonic storms such as Dana, Fengal, Remal and Asna severely disrupted fishing activities, contributing to the overall decline. The rising number of heatwave days in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also hampered fishing operations. While the west coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings, the east coast showed an increasing trend, with exceptions in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47% compared to the previous year, while West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also saw notable increases of 35%, 20% and 18% respectively. However, states like Karnataka, Goa and Daman & Diu experienced a significant decline in landings. Across the country, Indian mackerel, threadfin breams, oil sardines, ribbonfishes, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods recorded a decline in 2024 from the previous year. However, landings of lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies and tunnies increased. Meanwhile, Kerala saw a dip of 4% in its overall landings, falling to 6.10 LT in 2024 from 6.33 LT the previous year. The Indian oil sardine was the most landed species in the state, with a catch of 1.49 lakh tonnes -- a 7.6% increase over the previous year. The other major contributors to the catch included Indian mackerel (61,490 tonnes), penaeid shrimp (44,630 tonnes), anchovies (44,440 tonnes) and threadfin breams (33,890 tonnes). The Indian mackerel saw a decline of 16% in landings in the state. The year also saw an unusual fluctuation in oil sardine landings in the state, with very low and high landings recorded in different quarters. A severe scarcity in the first quarter led to prices escalating to Rs 350-400 per kg. However, from September onwards, as landings surged, exceeding one lakh tonne in the last quarter, prices dropped sharply to Rs 20-30 per kg. Compared to 2023, the southern districts of the state (Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam) saw a decline in landings, while northern districts (Malappuram to Kasaragod) registered an increase. The annual marine fish landings were estimated by the fishery resources assessment, economics and extension division of CMFRI through its online data collection system.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Rain deficit casts shadow over paddy yield in Assam
Guwahati: Farmers in Assam are sounding the alarm over a worrying rainfall shortage that has gripped more than half of the state's districts this July. The insufficient precipitation is casting a shadow over winter paddy cultivation, especially in the lower Assam region, where farmland preparation has taken a hit. Scientists warn that if the dry spell continues, it could spell disaster for crop yields and productivity. While rice seedling transplantation kicked off in various parts of Assam in July, the upper Assam region enjoyed normal or even excess rainfall, according to IMD records. However, the situation is dire in lower Assam, where many districts are parched. This July, 15 districts, including Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Kamrup (Rural), Kamrup (Metro), and others, experienced 'large deficient' rainfall, as per IMD data. Eleven of these districts are in lower Assam. Meanwhile, Nagaon, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Dima Hasao recorded 'deficient' rainfall. The IMD classifies 'large deficient' rainfall as 60 to 99% below normal, while 'deficient' rainfall is 20 to 59% below normal. "Photosensitive varieties like Ranjit, Bahadur, and many local paddy varieties will suffer if the rainfall deficit forces delayed transplantation of rice seedlings. Delayed transplantation, after August 15, leads to low production because flowering may not occur due to reduced daylight after September," said senior scientist Dr Kanchan Saikia, in-charge head at RRLRRS, ICAR-CRRI, Gerua in Hajo. Paddy cultivation thrives on consistent water availability from sowing to flowering. "Most farmers in the state rely on rainfed conditions for paddy. In recent years, the kharif season rainfall was adequate for paddy cultivation. However, excess rainwater often drains away due to a lack of proper rainwater harvesting structures. A rainfall deficit will hinder crop growth, necessitating alternative water supply through irrigation to achieve projected yields," Saikia said. He added that varieties like CR Dhan 801 and CR Dhan 802 show drought resistance, but irrigation at critical stages remains essential. "The Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method, which alternates drying and wetting in paddy fields, requires less water," he said. IMD's July rainfall data reveals over a 70% deficit in many districts still waiting for transplantation. Karna Rabha, a small-scale farmer in Boko, Kamrup district, owns six bighas of land. Three bighas of his land and about 55 bighas of neighboring villagers' land remain unplanted due to the lack of water in the paddy fields. "The rice seedlings we have will be unusable after 15 days as they will become too old. If we don't get heavy rain in the next two weeks, many farmers will have no seedlings to plant," he lamented. Many areas in Assam lack irrigation infrastructure, leaving farmers at the mercy of the rain. The state's irrigation coverage extends to less than 20% of its cultivable land.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Himachal: Kangra mangoes set to give juicy returns to growers
Despite hailstorms and gusty winds last month affecting the crop in some pockets, Kangra's mango produce this time is expected to be higher than that of previous year. According to estimates from the horticulture department, mango production is expected to be more than 25,000 metric tonnes (MT) this year, up from last year's 22,000 MT. In 2023, the production was only 16,800 MT when adverse weather had impacted the crop. This year, mangoes are noticeably larger than last year, when reduced rainfall negatively impacted their growth in Kangra valley. The crop was affected by the drought-like situation during fruit development. Also known as king of fruits, mango is cultivated in the lower belt of Himachal, especially Kangra district where it is a main crop and grown on around 21,600 hectares. The horticulture department had estimated the production even higher than 26,000 MT this year, but due to hailstorms and gusty winds, some crop losses were reported in some areas last month. Kangra horticulture deputy director Kamal Sheel Negi said the overall mango production in the district is expected to be higher than last year, provided the favourable weather conditions continue. 'We expect mango yield to surpass last year's figures and may even reach above 25,000 metric tonnes this year,' he said. In light of the ongoing high temperatures, farmers have been advised to irrigate their orchards regularly, either in the early morning or evening hours, strictly avoiding irrigation during the daytime. 'They have also been instructed not to apply fertilisers under current rainfed conditions and to wait for the onset of the monsoon. Additionally, we have recommended using dry grass or other suitable mulch to conserve soil moisture and regulate soil temperature,' Negi added. Officials attribute this increase to weather conditions during the flowering period and increased rainfall. According to experts, mango flowering typically occurs from the first to the third week of March, with fruit setting taking place in the last week of March. The harvesting season for mangoes lasts till July, with some late season varieties being harvested in August as well. New varieties being promoted The main mango varieties grown in Kangra are Dashehari, Langra and Chausa. The new hybrid mango varieties — Pusa Arunima, Pusa Lalima, Pusa Surya, Pusa Shreshtha, Malika and Chausa — are also being promoted by the horticulture department. Some progressive farmers have started planting new mango hybrids, officials said. Negi said the state has imported new varieties in recent years and has developed a progeny-cum-demonstration orchard (PCDO), adding, 'These are high density plantations, which will increase the production. The department is also giving financial assistance to the farmers for setting up mango orchards under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, along with a micro irrigation system under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
