Crop Protection By,

Jujhar Singh and Alap shah

Crop Protection Crop protection is the science and

practice of managing plant diseases, weeds and other pests that damage field crops (maize, wheat, rice, etc.), vegetable crops (potatoes, cabbages, etc.) and fruits. The crops in field are exposed to many factor. The crop plants may be damaged by insects, birds, rodents, bacteria, etc.

Weeds Weeds are unwanted plants in the

cultivated field that compete with the main plant for food, light, space. Weeds take up nutrients and reduce the growth of the plant.

For eg., Xanthium (gokhroo), Parthenium (gajar ghas), Cyperinus rotundus (motha).

Insect PestsInsect Pests attack the plant in three

ways:- They cut the root, stem and leaf. They suck the cell sap from various

part of the plant. They bore into stem and fruitsThus they affect the health of the crop

and reduce the yield.

Plant Diseases Diseases in plants are caused by

pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. These pathogens can be present in and transmitted through the soil, water and air

Common name Scientific name Organism

Angular Leaf Spot Xanthomonas fragaria

Bacterial plant pathogen

Ash whitefly Siphoninus phillyreae Insect

Bacterial heart rot and fruit collapse Dickeya spp. Bacterial plant

pathogen

Protection Methods Weeds, insects and diseases can be

controlled by various methods pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. These chemicals are sprayed on crop plants or used for treating seeds and soil. However, excessive use of these chemicals creates problems, since they can be poisonous to many plant and animal species and cause environmental pollution.

List of Methods Pesticides Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Summer

ploughing Crop rotation

Mechanical removal.

Proper seed bed preparation

Timely sowing of crops,

Intercropping crop rotation

Use of resistant varieties