Weather based integrated agro advisory for the month of March

Total rainfall received in Dimapur district during February month was 0.7 mm with the highest amount of 0.7 mm recorded on February 23. Total number of rainy day was nil.   Advisories

• Short duration pulse crops like summer green gram and green manuring crops like Dhaincha, Sunnhemp etc should be planted as pre-kharif crop in fallow paddy lowland/ Terrace Rice field to enhance the soil fertility. • Crop rotation should be adopted to break the cycle between insect pests / pathogen with their host plant. • Pre -kharif maize should be cultivated by taking the advantage of pre monsoon rain. • Shoot and fruit borer causes serious damage to the fruits. Continuous cropping of brinjal on the same land/ plot should be avoided. As soon as the insect is detected, the affected parts should be clipped along with the insect and destroyed. Fruits showing any boring should be picked and destroyed. • Drenching of plant with mixture of water, cow urine and Neem oil 8 litre, 2 litre and 50 ml, respectively at weekly interval to avoid red ant and cut worms • Rhizopus rot of jackfruit: Grayish black discoloration on the fruit. It occurs during the initial stage of fruiting. Spray on the fruit, Dithane M-45 @0.2% at 15 days interval at least 2 times.

1. Leaf spot/ Sigatoka disease: Timely control weeds, remove the disease leaves and burn it. 2. Pseudo stem borer: In case of severe infection, uproot the plant and burn it. Keep the orchard clean and free from weeds.

• Before sowing of seeds (Naga king chilli) in nursery, seed treatment should be done with Thiram @2gm/litre of water. To prevent damping off, avoid over watering and close spacing. • To reduce the insect population in fruit trees, smoking should be done, which will also help in inducing flowering and improving fruit setting. Place semi dry grass on the ground below the tree in a position where the wind can blow maximum smoke into the top of the tree. • For summer vegetables, land preparation can be started by ploughing to fine tilth. Application of 10-15 tons/ha of FYM is recommended. Maintain proper spacing while transplanting. After transplanting, irrigate the field immediately. Weeding and hoeing as and when needed. After the plants are established, carry out timely earthing up operation.

Avoid feeding of damp and foul smelling feed to all livestock and poultry.

• Vanaraja, a dual purpose bird is suitable for backyard poultry farming due to its high production potential in terms of meat and egg than that of local/desi bird (low produces of meat and egg). It thrives well under low feeding and managemental practices due to its adaptability and local climatic conditions. • Srinidhi, a coloured bird of egg laying type, suitable for rural poultry farming. • Vaccinate the bird against Ranikhet disease

• Vaccinate all newly born piglets against swine fever at the age of 3 months followed by annual booster dose. Keep floor dry to avoid skin diseases. • Do AI (Artificial Insemination) in sow for breeding purpose • Deworming of pig at every 6 month interval.

• Harvest the fish in pond having less water depth. • It is advisable to renovate ponds by removing the bottom mud and allow to dry. • Strengthen pond embankment. • Apply lime powder over dry surface of the pond bottom

Agro Met Field Unit. ICAR, Jharnapani Medziphema