Crop protection is the general method of protecting crop yields from harmful agents. Experts are working on creating effective strategies to reduce the adverse effects of these dangerous elements.
According to research, farmers lose up to 40 percent of crop production if they fail to implement effective crop protection methods. Here are some areas that farmers and manufacturers should concentrate on to increase their crop productivity.
Weed Management
Weeds are undesirable plants that coexist with the crops. These unwanted plants steal nutrients, sunlight, water, and other resources from the crops. They stunt plant growth, which causes the crops to become undernourished and reduces yields. Farmers eliminate these weeds by a technique known as weeding to protect the productivity of crops.
Weeding is the method by which farmers control the growth of weeds. There are numerous procedures for weed control:
- Spraying herbicides on the weeds
- Manually removing the weeds by hands
- Eradicating weeds by trowel and harrow
- Plowing the field to remove the weeds even before planting the seeds
- Amaranthus, Cyperinus rotundus, and Bermuda grass are a few examples of weeds.
- Herbicides are chemical substances crucial in controlling weed growth, preventing soil erosion, and preventing water loss, in addition to weeding.
Disease Management
Disease management is a complex crop protection strategy influenced by factors like plant age, genetics, environmental conditions, and weather. Consequently, it can be challenging to identify a disease, particularly in the early stages of illness. It is, therefore, vital to check the health of the plants regularly and recognize any signs as soon as possible.
You can guard your yield against diseases by employing one of the following approaches:
- the application of chemicals;
- culture rotation;
- deep plowing;
- organizing quarantine;
- cultivation of disease-resistant species;
- heat treatment;
- regular monitoring of plant conditions.
Temperature stress is a common cause of plant diseases. EOSDA Crop Monitoring offers current weather forecasts and historical data, enabling users to analyze trends and respond to extreme temperature fluctuations, such as installing drains to divert moisture during heavy rains or supplying extra irrigation during droughts.
Insect Management
Insects are identified to spread the majority of diseases that affect crops, and therefore it is crucial to control them. Farmers can utilize procedures like biological control, crop scouting, targeted habitat management, and rotation.
Integrated pest control services, which involve using numerous approaches, work to monitor and avoid insect damage to crops. If used properly, it can help control insects and prevent crop diseases.
Protecting crops from pests and diseases is essential to attaining high Productivity. This highlights the importance of applying the necessary precautions to lessen damages and increase yield.
Crop Rotation Management
Culture rotation is one of the most influential and adaptable crop protection methods. However, not every culture accepts the practice equally.
For example, corn can be planted in the same spot for more than five years. Conversely, rye, wheat, and sugar beet react harmfully to double cropping but can yield more if correctly rotated. For this reason, farmers may employ a six-field system rather than a three-field one.
EOSDA Crop Monitoring simplifies plant rotation by providing data on the order of cultures grown in specific areas.
Natural Repellents Management
Some farmers like to choose natural resources instead of mechanical or chemical methods. There are several ways to reduce crop loss from wild animals, including:
Smoke: Heavy smoke is produced when farmers burn things that smolder, such as elephant dung, in certain places.
Beehive fencing: For example, elephants are deterred by the sound of honey bees; this procedure is helpful as it provides an additional source of income
Chili peppers: Capsaicin, a chemical in chili peppers, makes them hot and effective in repelling wild animals, providing farmers with an additional income source.
Lavender, soybean, peas, and beans are admirable repellents against rabbits and an extra income source.
Castor oil is a natural repellent that prevents burrowing animals, such as moles.
Chemical repellents: They include energetic materials such as Anthraquinone, Butanethiol, and Methyl Anthranilate, which can be used to keep away wild animals.
