05 Dec 7 important insects-pests of Potato and their Management
आलू की फसल के 7 प्रमुख कीट पतंग और उनका प्रबंधन The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important crop of India. Potato is a crop of the cool, temperate regions of elevation of approximately 2000 m or more in the tropics. It requires cool nights and well drained soil with adequate moisture and does not produce well in low altitude, warm, tropical environment. In India, potato is grown in tropics as well as in sub-tropics in the cool season. About 86% of potato crop is grown in the plains during winter under short-day conditions, about 8% in the hills during summer under long day conditions and around 6% in the plateau during the rainy season. The advantages of the potato growing over other crops are high productivity, price stability, profitability and easy market. The main constraint to potato farming in India are: It is vulnerable to pests and diseases hence implying a high risk of failure, growing potatoes requires substantial capital and the crop needs intensive care and attention. However, a proper insect pest management program will minimise losses to potato crop 1. Potato tuber moth: Phthorimaea operculella Marks of identification: Potato Moths are small narrow winged greyish brown in colour, measure about 12 mm long. Full grown caterpillars are pinkish white or pale greenish in colour...