An plants are susceptible to attacks of some kind of diseases and pests. A preventive application of insecticide. or pesticide will to a great extent help in maintaining a healthy garden. It is very important to make the correct diagnose provide the appropriate treatment.

DISEASES

Powdery Mildew:

This disease is indicated by white powdery growth on leaves and stems of the plant. Daisy, sweet and hollyhock are commonly affected by this disease: Application of sulfur powder helps to control this diseases
In case of downy mildew, the leaves turn yellow 1lr  I ultimately shed off. Spraying the plant with Bordeaux mixture will check this disease.

Damping Off:

In this case, seedlings in the nursery good affected due to fungal attack as the root system gets damage: I, Excessive watering and lack of space between seedlings leads to damping off. Controlled irrigation, well rotted farmyard manure and adequate spacing will help in reducing this problem. Seeds may be treated with 2 gms. of Bavistin or any other fungicide per kg. of seed; The soil can also be sterilized with 2% solution of Formaldehyde.

Blight:

A very common disease in plants causing black spots on leaves which ultimately whither away. Infected leaves have brown or black spots on the underside. Blight infection can be spread by the wind. Tomatoes and potatoes are most commonly affected by this disease. It can be controlled to some extent by Bordeaux mixture but it is best to procure disease-free seed.

Anthracnose:

It causes dark spots on leaves and fruits. Flesh oozes out of the spot and finally leaves shrivel up. Treat with Thiram, Captan or spray Bordeaux mixture.

PESTS

Aphids

These are very small green-grey or black flies which cling. to the leaf stem and sack the sap. They lay eggs and multiply on the plant itself. Flowering plants, peas and lettuce In’ attacked by green flies whereas black aphids attack chrysanthemum, beans etc. To control aphids, spray with 1mlper liter. You can also use Malathion or Rogal’ 1ml per liter of water.

Caterpillars

They are pests which feed not on sap but kaves, flowers and fruits of plants like cabbage, calendula etc. praying with Monocrotophos 2 ml/liter of water helps control this pest.

Leaf Miner: The insect bores into the leaves  a silvery line outside. It can be controlled by Thimbu’s granules.

Canker: It attacks apples, citrus and is difficult to control as it eats into the main stems or the trunk affecting the flow of sap, thus permanently damaging the plant or tree. The damaged part must be removed.

Caution: It is important that the correct recommended dose is lied At the time of spray of chemicals use the right chemical the right concentration. Insecticides and fungicides should not be mixed by hands. Always wear gloves. Do not spray in strong wind or rain. Always drench the plant completely. Produce a lather in the spray solution with the help of soap. It will help the solution to stick to the plant.