A presentation on the principles of organic farming.

1. Neem (Azadirachta indica) – Neem has been found to be effective in the
management of approximately 200 insects, pests and nematodes. Neem is
very effective against grasshoppers, leaf hoppers, plant hoppers, aphids,
jassids, and moth caterpillars. Neem extracts are also very effective against
beetle larvae, butterfly, moth and caterpillars such as Mexican bean beetle,
Colorado potato beetle and diamondback moth. Neem is very effective against
grasshoppers, leaf minor and leaf hoppers such as variegated grasshoppers,
green rice leaf hopper and cotton jassids. Neem is good in managing beetles,
aphids and white flies, mealy bug, scale insects, adult bugs, fruit maggots and
spider mites.
Pyrethrum - Pyrethrum is a daisy-like Chrysanthemum. In the tropics,
pyrethrum is grown in mountain areas because it needs cool temperatures to
develop its flowers. Pyrethrins are insecticidal chemicals extracted from the
dried pyrethrum flower. The flower heads are processed into a powder to
make a dust. This dust can be used directly or infused into water to make a
spray. Pyrethrins cause immediate paralysis to most insects. Low doses do
not kill but have a knock down effect. Stronger doses kill. Pyrethrins are not
poisonous for humans and warm-blooded animals.
Many plants are known to have pesticidal properties and the extract of such plants or its refined forms can be used in the management of pests. Among various
plants identified for the purpose, neem has been found to be most effective.
BOTANICAL PESTICIDES

2. USE OF BIOPESTICIDES
Trichoderma viride or T. harazianum or Pseudomonas
fluorescence formulation @ 4gm/kg seed either
alone or in combination, manage most of the seed
borne & soil borne diseases.
There are other formulations viz. Beauvaria bassiana,
Metarizium anisopliae, Numeria rileyi, Verticillium sp,
which are available in the market and can
manage their specific host pest.
Spray of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV) of
Helicoverpa armigera (H) or Spodoptera litura(S) @ 250
larval equivalents are very effective tools to manage
the Helicoverpa sp. or Spodoptera sp. respectively.
Spray of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV) of
Helicoverpa armigera (H) or Spodoptera litura(S) @ 250
larval equivalents are very effective tools to manage
the Helicoverpa sp. or Spodoptera sp. respectively.
Bacillus thurengensis stenebrionis and
B.thurengensis sandigo are effective against
coleopterans as well as some other insect species.
Bt. has been used in the management of diamond
back moth on crucifers and vegetables @ 0.5-1.0
kg. formulation per ha. Viral biopesticides of
baculovirus group viz. granulosis viruses (GV) and
nuclear polyhedrosis viruses provided a great scope
in plant protection field.

3. INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT
Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is an approach to managing weeds using multiple
control tactics. The purpose of IWM is to include many methods in a growing season to
allow producers the best chance to control troublesome weeds.
IWM tactics span a wide range of
options and complexity.
IWM tactics can be integrated
without substantial change to current
management programs, while others
require more extensive planning and
implementation.
Some options that are easier to
implement include: equipment
cleaning, timely scouting, altering
herbicide tank mixes;
More extensive options include
changing crop rotation, cover
cropping, changing tillage practices,
and harvest time weed seed control.

4. CATEGORIES OF IWM
PREVENTION CULTURAL
CHEMICAL MECHANICAL
BIIOLOGICAL

5. IWM - PREVENTION
Prevention is one of the first
steps of weed management. It
focuses on keeping weeds out
of the field or spreading within
a field.
Avoid inputs contaminated with
weed seeds, such as crop seed,
manure, and other inputs.
Cleaning equipment including
that could transport weed seeds
between fields.
Preventing weeds from
producing seeds in the field , in
ditches, fencerows, and other
nearby non-crop areas.
Scouting for weeds in a timely
manner.
Proceeding with caution when
purchasing used farm
equipment or using rented land.

6. IWM - CULTURAL
Reduced row spacing so the crop
can reach canopy more quickly to
shade out weeds.
Crop rotation to prevent weeds
from adapting to the weed
control tactics common in any
one crop.
Nutrient management to allow
optimum crop uptake while
denying weeds access to
nutrients.
Cover crops to compete with
weeds for space, sunlight,
nutrients, and water.
Altered planting dates to give the
crop a head start or allow for a
flush of weed germination that
can be controlled before planting.
Crop variety selection to ensure
crops have the utmost
competitive advantage against
weeds.

7. IWM-CHEMICAL
Proper weed identification and awareness
of what herbicide-resistant weeds are in the
area.
Correct herbicide application, meaning
applying the appropriate product at the
right rate and at the right time.
Maximized diversity using tank
mixes herbicides with multiple, effective
sites of action and by rotating herbicides
throughout the season whenever possible.
Plan across seasons to avoid using
herbicides with the same sites of
action repeatedly.

8. IWM- MECHANICAL
Hand-pulling Tillage
Burning Mowing
Robotic weeding machines
Harvest weed seed
control, which reduces the
input of weed seeds into the soil
seedbank by destroying or
removing seeds retained on the
weeds at the time of harvest.
Mechanical weed management focuses on physical
practices that disrupt germination and destroy plant
tissue.

9. EXAMPLES OF IWM

10. PADDY
Critical period of weed
control
20-30 Days
Cultural method 1) Hand weeding
2) Hand pulling
3) Pudding
4) Flooding
Mechanical method 1) Weeder (Float)
2.Conoweeder/Rotary weeder
Chemical method Apply pendimethalin 1.0kg/ha on 5 days
after sowing or Pretilachlor + safener
(Sofit) 0.45kg/ha on the day of receipt of
soaking rain followed by one hand
weeding on 30 to 35 days after sowing.
Biological method 1. Hirsch – Manniella spinicaudata is a rice
root nematode
which controls most upland rice weeds
2. Azolla
WHEAT
Critical period
of weed control
15 – 30 Days
Cultural method a) Hand Hoeing
b) Inter cultivation
c) Criss-cross sowing
Chemical method 1. 2, 4D (1 – 1.5 kg ai/ha)
2. Mixture of Isoproturan (0.75 kg ai/ha) and
2, 4D (0.4 kg ai/ha) during 30- 35 DAS
Complimentary weed
control methods a) Cultivars
b) Seedling age /planting method
c) Fertilizer management
d) Cropping system

11. SORGHUM
Critical period
of weed control
21 – 42 days
Cultural method 1.Hoe and hand weed on the 10th day of
transplanting if herbicides are not used.
2.Hoe and weed between 30 - 35 days after
transplanting and between 35 - 40 days for a
direct sown crop
Chemical method 1.Apply the pre-emergence herbicide Atrazine
50 WP - 500 g/ha on 3 days after sowing as
spray on the soil surface
2.If pulse crop is to be raised as an inter-crop in
sorghum do not use Atrazine.
Complimentary
weed control
methods
Inclusion of cotton crop in the rotation
MAIZE
Critical period
of weed
control
Maize 2 to 6 Weeks
Cultural
method
One hand weeding on 40-45 days after sowing
Chemical
method
1. Pre-emergence application of Atrazine (1-2 kg ai/ha)
2. Combined application of Alachlor (2 kg/ha) and
atrazine (1kg/ha) is more effective and have wider
spectrum of control

12. PULSES
Critical period
of weed control
First 30-35 days
Cultural method 1.One hand weeding on 30 days after sowing
gives weed free environment throughout the
crop period
2.If herbicides are not applied weeding to be
done on 15 and 30 days after sowing.
Chemical method 1. Fluchloralin (1-1.5 kg/ha ), Pendimethalin
(0.5-1.0 kg/ha) as Pre emergence (preplanting
incorporation)
COTTON
Critical period
of weed
control
First 45 days
Cultural
method
1.One hand weeding on 45 days will keep weed free
environment upto 60 DAS
2.Hoe and hand weed between 18th to 20th day of
sowing, if herbicide is not applied at the time of
sowing
Chemical
method
1. Diuron (0.5 – 1.5 kg/ha), Monuron (1-1.5 kg/ha),
Fluchloralin (1-1.5 kg/ha) applied as
preemergence/
preplanting

13. SUNFLOWER
Critical
period
of weed
control
4-6 weeks
Cultural
method
Hoe and hand weed on the 15th
and 30th day of sowing and
remove the weeds. Allow the
weeds to dry for 2 - 3 days in
the case of irrigated and then
give irrigation.
Chemical
method
1. Apply Fluchloralin at 2.0 l/ha
before sowing and incorporate
or apply as pre-emergence spray
on 5 day after sowing followed
by irrigation or apply
Pendimethalin as pre-
emergence spray 3 days after
sowing.
GROUNDNUT
Critical
period
of weed
control
Up to 45 days
Cultural
method
After 35 - 40 days one hand
weeding may be given.
Chemical
method
1. Alachlor (1-5 kg/ha) – pre
emergence application
SUGARCANE
Critical
period
of weed
control
4 to 5 months
Cultural
method
Remove the weeds along the
furrows with hand hoe.
Mechani
cal
method
If herbicide is not applied work
the junior-hoe along the ridges on
25, 55 and 85 days after planting
for removal of weeds and proper
stirring
Chemical
method
1. Pre-emergence herbicides like
atrazine (2 to 3 kg/ha)
Simazine (2 to 3 kg/ha),
Alachlor (1.3 to 2.5 kg/ha) etc.,
will generally last for 8 to 12
weeks
2. To obtain best results sequential
application of
Preemergence and post
emergence herbicides or post
emergence herbicides like
Glyphosate (0.8 to 1.6 kg/ha)
Paraquat (0.4 to 0.8 kg/ha).

14. PESTS OF PADDY

15. Management:
• Use resistant varieties like IR 50, CR 1009, Co 46.
• Apply neem cake @ 12.5 kg/20 cent nursery as basal dose.
• The vegetation on the bunds should also be sprayed with the
insecticides.
• Setting up light traps.
Thrips: Stenchaetothrips biformis
Symptoms of damage: Laceration of
the tender leaves Yellow or silvery
streaks on the leaves of young
seedlings.
Terminal rolling and drying of
leaves from tip to base.
Identification of insect pest: Adults
are dark brown in color.
Green leafhopper: Nephotettix
virescens
Symptoms of damage : Yellowing of
leaves from tip to downwards.
Identification of insect pest : Adults
are green with black spot and black
patch on wings).

16. Brown plant leafhopper: Nilaparvata lugens
Symptoms of damage:
>Nymphs and adults congregate at the base of the plant
above the water level.
>Affected plant dries up and gives a scorched
appearance called “hopper burn”.
>Circular patches of drying and lodging of matured
plant.
Identification of insect: Adults have brown body and
chestnut brown eyes.
Management:
Use resistant/tolerant varieties like Aruna, ADT 36, Co
42, Co 46 IR 36, IR 72.
Avoid close planting.
Avoid use of excessive nitrogenous fertilizers.
Control irrigation by intermittent draining.
Set up light traps during night.
Yellow pan traps during daytime.
Conserve natural enemies like Lycosa pseudoannulata,
Cyrtorhinus lividipennis.
Avoid synthetic pyrethroids, methyl parathion, fenthion
and quinalphos causing resurgence.
Drain the water before the use of insecticides.

17. Paddy stemborer: Scirpophaga incertulas
Symptoms of damage:
>Presence of brown coloured egg mass near leaf tip.
>Caterpillar bore into central shoot of paddy seedling
and tiller Causes drying of the central shoot known as
“dead heart”.
>Grown up plant whole panicle becomes dried white ear.
Identification of insect pest:
Egg - Laid in a mass and covered with buff coloured hairs.
Larva - Pale yellow with dark brown head.
Adult - Female moth - bright yellowish-brown fore wings
with a black spot possess a tuft of yellow hairs..
Male moth - Smaller with pale yellow forewings without
black spot.
Management:
Resistant varieties: Ratna, Jaya, TKM 6.
Avoid close planting and continuous water stagnation.
Pull out and destroy the affected tillers.
Set up light traps to attract and kill the moths.
Harvest the crop upto the ground level and disturb the stubbles.
Release the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma japonicum on twice @ 5
cc/ha/ followed by monocrotophos 36 SL spray thrice @ 1000 ml/ha
on 58, 65 and 72 DAT)
Apply Bacillus thuringiensis and neem seed kernel extract.

18. Leaf folder or leaf roller: Cnaphalocrocis mainsails /
Marasmia, Patnalis
Symptoms of damage: Leaves fold longitudinally, and a
larva remains inside. Larvae scrapes the green tissues of
the leaves and becomes white and dry. During severe
infestation the whole field, exhibits scorched
appearance.
Identification of insect pest: Egg - Flat, oval in shape and
yellowish white in color.
Larva - Greenish translucent.
Adult - Moth is brownish with many dark wavy lines in
center and dark band on margin of wings
Management:
• Resistant varieties: TNAU LFR 831311, Cauveri, Akash, TKM 6.
• Clipping of the affected leaves.
• Keep the bunds clean Avoid excessive nitrogenous fertilizers.
• Light traps to attract and kill moths.
• Release Trichogramma chilonis @ 1, 25,000/ha thrice Spray NSKE
5 % or chlorpyriphos 20 EC 1250 ml/ ha.

19. Rice case worm: Nymphula depunctalis
Symptoms of damage: Caterpillars feed
on green tissues of the leaves and
leaves become whitish paper.
Identification of insect pest :
Larva - Pale translucent green with
orange head. It has filamentous gills on
the sides of the body
Adult: Moth is delicate white moth
with pale brown wavy markings.
Gall midge: Orseolia oryzae
Symptom of damage Maggot feeds at
the base of the growing shoot Causing
formation of a tube-like gall that is like
“onion leaf” or “Silver-shoot”. Infested
tillers produce no panicles.
Identification of insect pest:
Egg: Reddish, elongate, tubular eggs
just near the ligule of the leaf blade.
Larva: Maggot is pale to red color feeds
inside the gall. Pupa: pupates at the
base of the gall and moves to tip of the
gall .
Adult: Adult is orange coloured
mosquito like fly.
Management:
Resistant varieties: MDU 3, Shakthi, Vikram and Sureka.
Early ploughing.
Harvest the crop and plough immediately.
Optimum recommendation of potash fertilizer.
Setup light trap and monitor the adult flies.

20. Swarming caterpillar:
Spodoptera Mauritia
Symptoms of damage: Larvae cut
the seedlings in large scale
Severe infestation - cattle grazing
appearance to the field. They
feed gregariously and march
from field to field.
Identification of insect pest
:Caterpillar is cylindrical dark to
pale green with lateral lines
along the body Pupa - Pupates in
an earthen cocoon in soil Adult -
Moth is medium sized stoutly
build. Dark brown with a
conspicuous triangular spot on
fore wings.
Rice skipper: Pelopidas Mathias
Symptoms of damage: Edges of
the leaves are fastened with
webbing. Backward rolling of
leaves, caterpillar feeds from
margin to inwards
Identification of insect pest:
Larva: Pale green with
constructed neck. Adult:
Butterfly with brown coloured
wings and curved antenna
Rice horned caterpillar: Melanitis
ismene
Symptoms of damage Larva
feeds on leaf blades of rice.
Leaves are defoliated from the
margin or tip irregularly
Management:
• Kerosenate the water while irrigation
• Allow ducks into the field

21. PESTS OF SORGHUM

22. Shootfly: Atherigona varia soccata
Symptoms of damage The maggot bores inside the stem
and cuts the growing point. Central shoots dried and
produce “dead heart” symptom. The infested plant
produces side tillers.
Identification of the pest Egg - white, cylindrical, distal
somewhat flattened Adult - Whitish grey fly
Management:
• Use resistant varieties like Co-1, CSH 15R, Maldandi and
Hagari.
• Take up early sowing of sorghum( South West or North East
monsoon)
• Seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10 g/kg of
seeds.
• In case of direct seeding, use increased seed rate up to 12.5
kg/per hectare.
• Plough soon after harvest, remove and destroy the
stubbles.

23. Stem borer: Chilo partellus
Symptoms of damage : Withering and drying of
central shoot -“dead heart” Red mining in the
midrib Bore holes visible on the stem near the
nodes. Tender folded leaves have parallel “shot
hole” Affected parts of stem may show internally
tunneling of caterpillar.
Identification of the pest Egg - Scale-like flat oval
eggs in batches on the under surface of leaves near
the midribs. Larva - Yellowish brown with a brown
head and prothoracic shield. Adult - Moth is
medium size, straw coloured.
Management:
• Dead hearts should be pulled out and used as fodder (or) burried in
manure pits.
• Stubbles should be ploughed up during winter and burnt to destroy
the hibernating larvae.
• Sow cowpea as an intercrop
• Set up light trap.
• Bio-control agents viz.,Trichogramma minutum, Bracon chinensis and
Apanteles flavipes
• Mix any one of the following insecticides with sand (total quantity of
50 kg) Phorate - 10G@ 8 kg Carbofuran 3G@ 17 kg;

24. Pink stem borer: Sesamia
inferens
Symptoms of damage
Central shoots dried and
produce the dead hearts.
Identification of the pest
Egg - Bead like laid in
rows within the leaf
sheath Larva - Pinkish
brown with dark head
Adult - Straw coloured
moth with white wings.
Ear Head caterpillar:
Helicoverpa armigera
Symptoms of damage
Earheads are partially
eaten with chalky
appearance. Feacal
pellets are visible within
the ear heads.
Shoot bug: Peregrinus
maidis.
Symptoms of damage:
Plants become unhealthy
stunted and yellow. The
leaves wither from top
downwards. Panicle
formation is inhibited,
and the plants die if
attack is severe.
Honeydew secreted by
the bug causes growth of
sooty mould on leaves.
The midribs of the leaves
turn red due to egg-laying
and may dry up
subsequently.
Earhead bug: Calocoris
angustatus
Symptoms of damage
Nymphs and adult suck
the juice from within the
grains when they are in
the milky stage. Grains
shrink and turn black in
colour and ill filled (or)
chaffy. Presence of large
number of nymphs and
adults are seen on the ear
head.
Sorghum midge:
Contarinia sorghicola
Symptoms of damage
Pollen shedding due to
egg laying White pupal
cases protruding out from
the grain's Chaffy grains
with holes

25. PESTS OF MAIZE

26. Stem fly: Atherigona orientalis
Symptoms of damage The maggot feeds on the
young growing shoots results in “dead hearts”.
Identification of the pest: Adult - Small grey
coloured fly.
Management:
Use seeds pelleted with insecticides
Seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS 10 g/kg of seed.
 Plough soon after harvest, remove and destroy the
stubbles.
Spray Methyl demeton 25 EC 500 ml/ha or Dimethoate 30
EC 500 ml/ha or Neem seed kernel extract 5% orNeem azal
1%

27. THANK YOU !!