This video explains how best to use the Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC) to grow organic Kharif potatoes for best yield. With this method the applied fertilizer is used effectively and costs are reduced.
Namaskar, Welcome to Soul of Krishi
Today let us talk about farmers growing potatoes in the kharif season. It is true that potatoes are grown during Kharif in Karnataka and Tamilnadu. It is an off season potato which is used mainly for chips making and to augment potato supply during this season. It is grown in Hassan, Bengam, Bengaluru and Chikkamangaluru in Karnataka and Udakamandalam and Kodaikanal in Tamilnadu. Surprisingly it is grown as a rainfed crop utilizing the advantage of pre-monsoon rains in these regions.
Obviously when it is grown in an odd season the problems faced by this crop is also more and severe. Farmers face the problem of diseases and pests, drought and nutritional problems and many times find it difficult to have a successful crop. Mainly the crop faces the wrath of late blight, early blight, scab and wilt diseases. All originate from the soil. The crop faces problems of phosphorus and zinc deficiencies as the crop is grown mainly on red soils.
Generally farmers spend a huge amount of money on fertilizers and disease management indiscriminately spraying fungicides, antibiotics, insecticides, nematicides and many such very harmful chemicals. Despite this they meet with poor success leading to yield losses and many a time complete crop loss with poor quality yields.
Can we manage potatoes without these fungicides and antibiotics?
Yes we have an option
Arka Microbial Consortium, a product of ICAR-IIHR, has shown very promising results in the management of these potato diseases and nutritional problems. This can effectively control early blight, late blight, wilt and scabs effectively. Besides it is one of the most efficient biofertilizer in mobilizing phosphorus and zinc in soil
This is an organic product, a very safe product and is very cheap and causes no harm to farmers while applying and the potato so obtained will have no residues and be healthy for consumers.
How can we use AMC in kharif potato? We can use it in multiple ways.
First, If we treat potato seeds by dipping in AMC slurry or solution and sow the seeds we can control many such diseases, ensures good germination, and ensures proper crop establishment.
Further drenching potato crop with a solution of AMC can protect the crop from wilting and potato scab disease. If drenching is done then you can save 25% of fertilizer application because it enhances absorption and availability of nutrients in the soil
A regular spray of AMC at a weekly interval can protect the crop from early blight, late blight and anthroconse.
We would suggest an alternate spray of Bordeaux and AMC for much better results.
With all these the expenditure on this method is just half of what a farmer spends if he goes for chemical management of diseases. And it is organic and very safe.
So friends growing potatoes with AMC and Bordeaux will save your crop from untimely diseases, save 25% money on fertilizers and produce a healthy potato crop.
Comments