Agricultural scientists in Kanpur have issued an urgent advisory to farmers across Uttar Pradesh, warning of a high risk of a devastating disease affecting potato crops. Experts from the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSA) state that the prevailing weather conditions are ideal for the spread of late blight disease, which can ruin standing crops.
Weather Conditions Create Perfect Storm for Disease
Dr. Keshav Arya, the in-charge of the Vegetable Science Department at CSA University, explained the situation. He said that the current weather pattern presents a strong possibility for an outbreak of late blight in potato fields. This fungal disease thrives in cool, wet conditions and can spread rapidly, causing severe damage.
Dr. Arya urged all potato growers in the region to remain extremely alert and not delay in taking protective measures. The call for immediate action was echoed by potato specialist Dr. Ajay Yadav, who emphasized the economic importance of the crop.
Potato: A Major Crop at Risk
Potato is a major cash crop for thousands of farmers in central and western Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Yadav stressed that any delay in managing the disease could lead to substantial financial losses for these farming families. He highlighted that blight disease is particularly harmful to crops already in the field, making advance control crucial.
To combat the threat of late blight, Dr. Yadav provided farmers with specific and actionable chemical advice. He recommended spraying one of two fungicide solutions:
- A mixture of Cymoxanil and Mancozeb at a rate of 2.5 grams per litre of water.
- Alternatively, a solution of Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole at 1 gram per litre of water.
Identifying and Treating Other Leaf Diseases
Beyond late blight, Dr. Yadav also addressed another common issue for potato growers. He noted that small, dot-like spots appearing on leaves might be caused by a different fungus called Alternaria. This condition often mimics nutrient deficiency and is known as the "many leaf complex disease."
To control Alternaria, he suggested a different spray regimen. Farmers should use Chlorothalonil at 2.5 grams per litre of water, combined with a multi-micronutrient mixture. This mixture should contain essential elements like:
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Molybdenum
- Boron
- Chlorine
Dr. Yadav clarified the dosage, stating that one kilogram of this mixture is sufficient per acre. For practical application using standard 15-litre spray tanks, farmers will need 8 to 10 tanks per acre, with each tank containing 100 to 120 grams of the prepared solution. Following this protocol can control the disease to a large extent.
The overarching message from CSA University scientists is clear: timely preventive action is the key to avoiding heavy losses. With the weather acting as a catalyst for disease, farmers must monitor their fields closely and apply the recommended treatments without delay to safeguard their potato harvest and their livelihood.
