Outbreak of Wilt and Aphid Disease in Chickpea and Lentil Crops: Control Measures

Wilt Disease in Chickpea and Lentil Crops Currently, several regions are experiencing plant wilting in chickpea and lentil crops. This problem is caused by wilt disease, which typically appears in chickpea plants before flowering, during flowering, and a few days before crop maturity.

Symptoms of Wilt Disease:

According to agricultural experts, the disease presents itself in the form of patches or spots on the field. Affected plants show wilted leaves and branches that eventually droop and turn yellow. The roots become dry, but when the root is cut, brown or black streaks can be observed.

Control Measures for Wilt Disease:

1. Summer Plowing: Ensure summer plowing in May-June. This exposes the soil fungi to the sun, effectively destroying them.
2. Timely Sowing: Sow chickpea in late October or the first week of November.
3. Soil Preparation: Add 5 tons of well-decomposed farmyard manure per hectare while preparing the soil.
4. Pre-Sowing Treatment: Apply 20-25 kg of neem cake per acre before sowing.
5. Seed Treatment: Treat seeds with 5 grams of Trichoderma viride per kilogram of seed or a combination of 4 grams of Trichoderma viride and 50% Carbendazim or 1.5 grams of Pyraclostrobin per kilogram of seed.
6. Crop Rotation: Avoid planting chickpeas for 3 consecutive years to break the disease cycle.
7. Resistant Varieties: Choose wilt-resistant varieties such as RVG-202, RVG-203, JG-36, and JG-52.

Biological and Chemical Control:

• Mix 1-2 kg of Trichoderma viride with 15-20 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure and apply as a soil treatment.
• Spray a solution of 750 grams of Carbendazim 50% or Thiophanate Methyl 70% dissolved in 500 liters of water per hectare.

Aphid Control in Lentil Crops: Lentil crops are often affected by aphids, jassids, and thrips. For effective control, both biological and chemical methods should be employed:

• Biological Control: Apply a solution of 4 ml of Beauveria bassiana or Verticillium lecanii in 1 liter of water for spraying.
• Chemical Control: Use 250 grams per hectare of a mixture of Fipronil and Imidacloprid, or spray 150 grams per hectare of Acetamiprid 20% SP or Thiamethoxam 25% WG.

Read More:- Chickpea Pest Control: Use of Feromone Traps with Biological and Chemical Methods