IPM Packages for Crops

crucifer IPM techniques

• Application of fertilizers and compost inoculated with Trichoderma spp., neem cake, and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VaM) to improve nutrients available to the crop, priming the plant’s own defenses and reducing the incidence of nematodes and other plant diseases. • Select high-yielding, locally preferred crucifer variety that is resistant or moder- ately resistant to diseases such as Turnip mosaic virus , clubroot, Fusarium yellows and others. • Grow transplants in mesh-covered seed- beds to prevent aphids, whiteflies, dia - mondback moth, and flea beetles. Discard diseased seedlings. • Treating seeds with the Trichoderma viride or T. harzianum fungi , and Pseu- domonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis bacteria protects seedlings from fungal and bacterial diseases, and induces plant defense against pests. • Hot water seed treatment is effective against bacterial pathogens like Xanthomo- nas. • Use of seedling trays and coconut pith medium reduces contamination. Irrigation should be monitored to prevent excess moisture, which increases the incidence of diseases like black rot, Xanthomonas leaf spot, etc.

• Crop rotation with non-host crops helps in reducing the incidence of soil-borne diseases. • Setting up yellow sticky sheets in fields helps to reduce opulations of aphids and whiteflies. Pheromone traps can be used for the P. xylostella, Spodoptera spp. and H. armigera . • Use of neem-based formulations for man- aging aphids, whiteflies, and other pests. • Inundative release of Trichogramma spp., Telenomus spp., and Bracon spp. for control of lepidopteran pests. • Bacillus thuringiensis is also effective against diamondback moth and other lepi- dopteran pests. • Use safe synthetic pesticides, if needed.

Seedling trays for Chinese kale