Yamunanagar, Haryana: A team from Chaudhary Charan Singh University’s Regional Research Centre in Karnal, along with experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Yamunanagar’s Damla, has identified a severe pest infestation affecting sugarcane crops in the region. The affected area falls under the jurisdiction of Saraswati sugar mills in Yamunanagar, reported Hindustan Times.
The team, led by senior coordinator Maha Singh Jaglan, visited four villages to assess the situation. They examined sugarcane crops spread across 30 acres in the district. Both crop scientists and farmers believe that a lack of sufficient rainfall during the monsoon season has led to a widespread pest problem.
Their first inspection was at the farm of Satpal Kaushik, a progressive farmer in Kartarpur village. On his 15-acre farm, the team discovered that four acres were suffering from pest damage.
“Black ants were found in one variety of the crop on two acres. This problem likely began in May or June. The ants attack the roots, causing the leaves to turn yellow. We’ve recommended immediate action to save the crop at this stage,” said Jaglan.
“In another two acres with a different crop variety, we found webbing mites and top borer. The mites, which feed on the leaves, can be controlled with a spray we suggested. Fortunately, the top borer issue is under control,” he added.
In Talakour village, the team inspected Gurmail Singh’s six-acre farm and found that two acres were affected by wilt fungal disease and root borer.
“The tops of the crops showed significant yellowing, indicating that nutrients aren’t reaching the upper parts due to the disease,” Jaglan explained. “We also found similar problems on four acres of Rajesh Kumar’s crops in the same village and nearly one acre on Sharanjeet Singh’s farm in Ismailpur.”
Farmer Satpal Kaushik expressed his concerns, saying, “Due to the lack of rain, pests are out in the open and damaging our crops. More rain could have caused waterlogging, which would have killed pests like black ants. The earlier lack of rain has already affected paddy, and now sugarcane is suffering too.”
As per media report by Hindustan Times, in response to the situation, the Regional Research Centre has advised farmers to use a spray of Phendal 50 EC mixed with urea and water to protect their crops from black ants. They also recommended using trichord, available at the centre, four times, and regularly inspecting crops while ensuring the use of high-quality seeds.
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