A crop variety is tolerant if the pest can live on the plant, but the plant is not seriously affected by the pest. For example most rice varieties are tolerant against leaf feeders. If leaf damage is not too severe (even up to 50% leaf damage in a young plant), the plants compensate by producing … Read more
Tobacco contains nicotine, which is a very toxic organic poison. Leaves and stems of the tobacco plant are used to prepare extracts which can be applied to control certain insects (aphids, caterpillars, thrips, leaf miners) and mites. As an example, here is one method of producing a tobacco extract: Mix 250 gram of tobacco (for … Read more
If the soil is infested with many nematodes, soil borne diseases or weeds, these pests can be at least partly removed by using the method of solarization. It is a method that utilizes the heat of the sun to sterilize the soil. First the soil has to be irrigated to make sure that it is … Read more
Many insects live or hide near the soil surface where they find ideal temperature and humidity conditions. Soil cultivation (e.g. plowing the soil) will disturb these conditions as it causes the upper layers of the soil to dry. It will expose some larvae and pupae to the sun or to predators such as birds, while … Read more
A very simple method to control aphids (plant lice) or thrips is by spraying a soap solution. Soap solutions are very effective against these smaller insects, but will also kill bigger insects. A soap solution can be made by mixing 30 gram of soap in 5 liters of water. It is recommended to test this … Read more
The term “simultaneous sowing” means that in a certain location most farmers sow or plant their crop at the same time. Consequently, all fields will also pass simultaneously the various crop stages until harvest. This method can sometimes be used to manage certain pests. Some pests are only important in only one stage of the … Read more
Good quality seeds are essential to grow a strong and healthy crop. Healthy seeds can be bought from trusted sources or farmers can produce their own seeds. In that case, seed selection can be used to improve the quality of seeds. There are several diseases that are transmitted via the seeds. If seeds from an … Read more
Crop rotation is the practice of growing every year (or every season) a different crop on the same field. It is a practice which is generally recommended to reduce the impact of pests and diseases and to manage soil health. If the same crop is planted year after year on the same plot, populations of … Read more
A variety is resistant if the pest can not eat it, or can not live or multiply on it. Thus, if a plant is resistant against a pest, it will not suffer any damage from that pest. For example, certain cotton varieties are resistant against jassids because the plants have hairy leaves. The hairs form … Read more
The presence of certain plants repels insects. Also plant extracts can, because of their smell, be used as insect repellents. See: Garlic spray See: Tagetes
