In Tamil Nadu the risk of pest attacks and diseases in agricultural crops has increased. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University released a forecast to help farmers to adopt preventive measures to save crops and prevent loss in yield.

The Centre for Plant Protection Studies, department of entomology and department of plant pathology have together released a pest and disease forecast for seven agricultural crops- paddy, cotton, tomato, turmeric, sugarcane, groundnut and maize.

Scientists from TNAU have identified leaf folder and stem borer diseases in the crops in Dharmapuri, Theni, Salem, Kanyakumari, Thiruvarur, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Thanjavur and Pudukottai.

To save the crops from further attack, farmers are advised to spray neem seed kernel extract 5% along with sticking agent 1 ml/lit. If needed, farmers can spray one of the following insecticides: Phosphamidon 40SL 225 ml/acre or Profenofos 50 EC 400 ml/acre.

The experts have also predicted the possibility of an outbreak of paddy blast. Hence, the farmers are advised to spray hexaconazole (0.25%) twice a week.

Tomato: It was noticed that the crops in Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and Dindugul districts were affected with tomato leaf blight. To avoid further attack, TNAU scientists suggest to spray mancozeb (dissolve 2g in 1l water) twice a week.

Turmeric: Erode is a trade hub for turmeric, and crops in Erode, Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts have been identified with turmeric leaf spot by the TNAU scientists. To avoid loss in yield, experts advised farmers to spray mancozeb (dissolve 2g in 1l water) or propiconazole 0.2% twice a week.

Maize: It has been found that crops in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Madurai, Pudukottai and Dharmapuri have been affected with stem borer. Farmers are advised to monitor the adult moths by setting up light traps and, if needed, spray neem seed kernel extract 5% along with sticking agent 1ml/l.