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He has been using this technique for the last eight years with very good returns. Field trials were conducted in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, to test the efficacy of some botanical and synthetic insecticides. Monocrotophos, fish oil resin soap, phosphamidon and Pongamia oil were the most effective treatments, followed by dimethoate, mahua [Madhuca longifolia] oil and neem oil. Ref: Katole S R; Thakare H S; Mahajan R K Journal of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities. 1993, 18: 1, 67-68; 6 See Honey Bee 8(4): 9,1997, 10(1): 7,1999, 7(2): 3-4,1996 on other methods for making herbal pesticides. Farmer: Badribhai Somabhai Patel. Dharampur, Savli Taluka, Vadoadara 11314 Control of Termite by Euphorbia neriifolia Shri Kiritbhai Patel of Sabarkantha has used ‘thor’ (Euphorbia neriifolia) milk for seed protection as a substitute for chemical pesticides. Twenty kg of seeds can be protected by 200 ml of ‘thor’ milk diluted in one litre of water. Seeds of various crops like paddy, castor,
pearl millet, maize and Sorghum are protected by this method. This method is effective for all crops except the groundnut crop. For horticultural crops, one litre of ‘thor’ milk diluted with 200 litre of water is enough for protecting these crops from termites. The solution is poured near the roots of the crop. If this treatment is given to the newly planted crops, it is believed that these crops would grow faster. See Honey Bee 4(1):16, 1993, 5(2):17, 1994, 5(3):12, 1994 for more uses of Euphorbia neriifolia. Farmer: Kiritbhai Keshabhai Patel, Kishorpura, Modasa Taluka, Sabarkantha. Comm: Ishwar Valand 11315 Control of Heliothis in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) When okra plants are infected by heliothis the growth of the plant is affected, and yield is reduced. To control it, one kg flour of ‘methi’ (Trigonella foenum) is mixed with two litre of water. Mixture is kept aside for 24 hr. Having diluted with 40 litre of water, the mixture is sprayed in one hectare of land. Within seven days, fifty per cent of heliothis gets controlled. It is advisable to plough the field as early as possible after harvest to destroy heliothis pupae. (www.dpi.qld.gov.au) See Honey Bee 2(1): 14-15, 1991, 3 (374):3, 1992, 9(3):10, 1998, 11(1):15,2000, on other methods for controlling Heliothis. Farmer: Kantibhai Nathabhai Vankar, Dhamniya, Lunavada Taluka, Panchmahal. Comm: Vankar Pravin N Soil Management 11316 Rain Water to Improve Brackish Soil Kalubhai Thakor uses rainwater to improve brackish soil. He fills his less than one hectare of land with organic manure before rain. Water gets accumulated in the field because of the bund built around the land. Accumulated water is not allowed to drain out. Next year the same practice is repeated. If this practice is followed for two consecutive years without growing any crops then brackish soil can be converted into fertile land. Some grasses like ‘dharo’ (Cynodon dactylon) and ‘samo’ (Echinochloa frumentacea) do not grow in brackish soil. If they crop up in this soil in winter when the water dries up, it is an indication that the soil has turned fertile. He grows paddy after the soil becomes fertile. Many farmers of the village who have brackish soil have used this technique. (Similar practice is used in many parts of Eastern India as well as Central India: Ed.) See Honey Bee 10(4): 13-14,1999 on practice for reclamation of brackish soil. Farmer: Kalubhai Pujabhai Thakor, Dehda, Taluka Khambhat, Anand. Comm: Pravin Rohit .11317 No Grazing After First RainCustomarily it is seen that grasses grow within 15 to 25 days after the first rain. But caretakers of cattle in Meghraj Taluka in Gujarat do not allow their cattle to graze on the grass after first rain. Shri Amrutbhai Valand of Iploda village in Meghraj Taluka observes that there are various kinds of germs/insects on the grass that grow after the first rain. These germs/insects cause various diseases. It is believed that after few more weeks, the germs/insects on the grass will be washed off due to the rain. The villagers have made a custom that only after a cele-bration in the village temple the cattle would be allowed to graze. Amrutbhai says that all the villagers follow this custom without any hesitation.
See Honey Bee 6(2):15, 1995, 9(3):7,1998 for other community rules on grazing. Farmer: Amrutbhai Prabhabhai Valand, Iploda, Meghraj Taluka, Sabarkantha Comm: Ishwar Valand |
