Disease and pest control in Kantola crop: Adopt these methods to control diseases and pests in Kantola crop 

Kantola crop: Continuous monitoring, proper agricultural practices, balanced use of biological and chemical control is very important for disease and pest control in Kantola crop. Farmers can get more yield and better quality by following the recommendations given by government institutions.

Kantola (Disease and pest control in Kantola crop) is a vine vegetable grown in many parts of India. It is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Kantola is also called spine guard, kakoda or kakoda. This crop grows well in hot and humid climate. However, many diseases and pests attack its cultivation, which can affect production. In this article, the identification, causes and prevention measures of diseases and pests in Kantola crop have been discussed in detail.

Major pests and their control (Disease And Pest Control In Kantola crop)

Fruit Borer – Earias vitella

Symptoms:

1. The insect bores a hole in the fruit and lays eggs and eats the fruit from inside.

2. This causes the fruit to rot and its quality in the market decreases.

Control measures

1. Destroy the eggs and larvae of the insect.

2. Install 5 pheromone traps in the field at the rate of per acre.

3. Spray neem based insecticide (Neem oil 5 percent).

4. In case of severe infection, spray Emamectin Benzoate 5 percent SG 5 grams per 15 liters of water (as per ICAR instructions).

Whitefly (Whitefly – Bemisia tabaci)

Symptoms:

1. Hides under the leaves and sucks the juice.

2. Leaves turn yellow and growth stops.

3. This insect is also a carrier of virus-borne diseases.

Control measures

1. Install yellow sticky trap in the field.

2. Spray 5 ml of neem oil 1500 ppm in one liter of water.

3. Remove the diseased plants from the field and burn them.

Major diseases and their control

Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum)

Symptoms

1. White spots on leaves which look like powder.

2. Leaves wither and plant growth stops.

Control measures

1. Spray sulfur-based fungicide (such as Vettabal sulfur 2 grams/liter) in the initial stage of the disease.

2. Remove and destroy the infected leaves.

3. Follow crop rotation and do not grow Kantola crop continuously at the same place.

Downy Mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis)

Symptoms

1. Yellow spots on the upper part of the leaves and purple-brown fungus on the lower surface.

2. When the disease spreads, the entire vine dries up.

Control measures

1. At the beginning of the disease, spray Mancozeb 75 percent WP, 2.5 grams/liter of water.

2. Keep proper drainage arrangement.

3. Spray in the morning or evening so that the effect increases.

Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp.)

Symptoms

1. The roots of the plant start rotting due to which the plant withers.

2. This disease spreads rapidly due to excessive moisture and waterlogging.

Control measures

1. Deep plough the field and improve drainage.

2. Seed treatment with fungicides like Trichoderma or Carbendazim.

3. Among biological measures, the use of Trichoderma viride is effective.

Cultural and biological control

1. Crop rotation

After Kantola, take a non-cucurbitaceous crop (such as wheat, gram) so that the life cycle of the pathogen can be broken.

2. Selection of healthy seeds and seedlings

Buy seeds from certified institutions such as IARI, ICAR or State Agricultural University.

3. Use of biopesticides

Use Trichoderma, BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), Neem cake.

4. Organic manure and compost

Adding cow dung manure, vermicompost and manure containing Trichoderma in the field improves soil health.

Recommendations from Government Institutions

The following institutions provide detailed information on recommended pesticides, seeds and disease control practices for Kantola crop:

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 
• State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) 
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) 
• National Horticulture Board (NHB) 
• Kisan Call Centre (1800-180-1551) 
• Farmers can get certified advice from the websites or offices of these institutions.

Continuous monitoring, proper agricultural practices, balanced use of biological and chemical control are very important for disease and pest control in Kantola crop. By following the recommendations given by government institutions, farmers can get higher yield and better quality.