A field visit was organised for the students of School of Agriculture (SOA), B Sc (H) V Semester to Kotda Santaur on 18.09.2021. During this visit students were edified about the different species of insects and pests that attack kharif crops. Dr Mohsin Ikram, Assistant Professor, Entomology, SOA explained about the methods to be used to identify the different stages (eggs, larva, pupa, and adult) of various insects. The students showed their keen interest in the insects found in the field of rice and brinjal. Following insect pests were identified based on their morphological specifications:
- Yellow Stem borer (Scirpophaga incertalus) – Rice
- Rice Gundhi bug (Leptocorisa acuta) – Rice
- Rice Grasshopper (Hieroglyphus daganensis) – Rice
- Rice leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) – Rice
- Pollen chaffer beetle (Oxycetonia versicolor)- Rice
- Flower chafer beetle (Chiloloba acuta) – Rice
- Red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis)- Brinjal
Dr Sandeep Kumar, Assistant Professor, (Plant Pathology, SOA talked about the common symptoms of crop diseases and guided them during the identification of following diseases in the field of paddy crop:
- Rice Blast (Leaf, Nodal and Neck Blast) (Pyricularia oryzae)
- Brown spot (Bipolaris oryzae)
- False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens)
- Sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)
- Bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae)
Students also interacted with a farmer, Mr Anil Kumar who shared his experiences and explained the processes of field preparation, seed sowing, irrigation, harvesting, post harvesting processes and selling of crops in the market. He talked about the disease management, weed management, and application of pesticides and fertilizers in the field of paddy crop.
Students enjoyed the field visit and collected many specimens of insect pests and plants having symptoms of diseases. They brought those specimens into the laboratory of Entomology and Plant Pathology at School of Agriculture (SOA) and studied in detail under the supervision of their course instructors. Students also collected fruiting bodies a medicinal fungus Pycnoporus sp from the field.
Hon’ble Chancellor, Shri Jitender Joshi, Officiating Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Rajesh Bhauguna, and Dean-SOA, Uttaranchal University appreciated the students for their enthusiasm and quest for learning during the visit.
