Pest and Weed Management in Moong Crop: Expert Advice for Farmers

Currently, the moong crop is witnessing an infestation of various sap-sucking pests such as aphids, jassids, thrips, whiteflies, and fruit flies, which may cause significant crop damage. Agricultural scientists have issued important recommendations to help you manage pests and weeds effectively and protect your crop.

Infestation and Control of Sap-Sucking Pests

• Aphids: these insects feed on the sap of leaves, stems, and pods, causing the young leaves to curl and deform. Their honeydew secretion leads to the growth of black sooty mold on leaves.
• Jassids: These pests suck sap from the underside of leaves, causing the leaf edges to turn yellowish and scorched.
• Thrips: Thrips damage the upper leaves, flowers, and pods, stunting plant growth and hindering pod formation.
• Whiteflies: These are vectors of the Yellow Mosaic Virus and feed on the undersides of leaves during the early crop stages, weakening the plants.
• Fruit Flies: They damage the developing pods and significantly affect crop yield.

Recommended insecticides for control:

• Thiamethoxam 25 WG
• Acetamiprid 20 SP
• Thiamethoxam + Lambda-cyhalothrin (125 g/ha)
• Fipronil + Imidacloprid (150 g/ha)
• Control of Caterpillars (Larvae)
• Gram Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): This pest bores holes in the pods and feeds from inside, also damaging leaves in the early stage.
• Maruca Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata): It bores into buds, flowers, and pods, causing severe losses.

For early-stage control:

• Indoxacarb (350 ml/ha)
• Chlorantraniliprole (150 ml/ha)
• For advanced-stage control:
• Novaluron + Indoxacarb (850 ml/ha)
• Chlorantraniliprole + Lambda-cyhalothrin (200 ml/ha)
• Emamectin + Lufenuron (75 g/ha)
• Spraying Time:
• Spray either before 10 AM or after 4 PM for best results.

Weed Control in Moong Crop

• Weed management is crucial 15 to 20 days after sowing. Use any of the following herbicides by preparing a spray solution with 500–600 liters of water per hectare:
• Imazethapyr (1 liter/ha)
• Propaquizafop + Imazethapyr (2 liters/ha)
• Imazethapyr + Imazamox (100 ml/ha)
• Sodium Acifluorfen + Clodinafop (1 liter/ha)
• Spraying Time:
• Spray before 10 AM or after 4 PM.