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PAU
plant hospital helps farmers LUDHIANA
— The Punjab Agricultural University plant clinic is coming to the
aid of a large number of farmers everyday. According to Dr N.S.
Buttar, who heads the plant clinic, 7,268 farmers visited the
Central Plant Clinic for redressal of problems related to
agriculture, during the crop season. He said, that farmers were
aware of the clinic and enthusiastic about adopting new technologies
and varieties. It
was the first clinic of its own kind in the North. According to
sources, it was set up by Dr A.S. Cheema, in 1978 and managed by the
Department of Plant Pathology. But it was in 1993, that the plant
protection unit was established at the Farmers Service Centre, PAU,
with a view to serve farmers of the state It
diagnoses disorders of crops in samples received through farmers and
extension functionaries and suggests remedial measures. Around 1794
farmers brought plant samples for diagnosis and remedial measures
this season. Of there maximum samples i.e 548 were from plant
pathology, followed by 476 samples related to entomology,297 to
soil, 87 to agronomy and 184 to physiology. The
plant clinic also provides package of recommendations in various
fields,vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops. Experts have been
appointed from the departments of Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil
Sciences and Agronomy for effective functioning of the centre and
providing prompt solutions to field problems, apart from delivering
integrated pest-management technologies. The centre also renders
advice to farmers. The experts conduct field visits for on-the-spot
diagnosis of complex field problems. Plant
pathologists deal with plant disorders that are caused due to
pathogens,while entomologists deal with identification of insects
and their symptoms. Nutrient deficiencies, and toxicity are looked
after by soil scientists.Agronomic experts provide information on
crop-production technology. Many
paddy crops were saved this time. Major problems pertained to white
backed plant hopper, leaf folder, stem border, among the incest
pests,while bacterial leaf blight and sheath blight were major
diseases identified by clinic scientists. Nutritional problems of
rice included iron and zinc deficiency and poor quality ground
water. Dr
Bhuttar said, in cotton crop, spotted bollworm, whitefly, and
American bollworm were key pests as indicated by the samples. In
sugarcane, attack of black bug , early shoot-borer and pyrilla were
found. The
plant clinic has a full fledged, laboratory with scientific
equipment. In case there is an outbreak of pests or an epidemic of
any particular disease,the clinic issues a note release, based on
the information received in the clinic through plant samples. It
also provides feedback to the research system for re-orienting
research programmes and to assess the level of acceptance in respect
of the recommendations of PAU. The clinic also conducts practical training undergraduate students of B.Sc (Agriculture) in diagnosis of crop disorders. Mr Bhuttar said that the experts advised farmers on everything, starting from variety of the crop to be sown, its timing, fertilisers to be used, nutrient deficiencies, spray schedule and remedies on outbreak of pests. Source:
Tribune News Service Sept 19, 2000
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