Agribusinesses require limiting crop loss in order to get the easiest and, consequently, the highest output possible, which necessitates using proper and sustainable agricultural techniques. Trying to increase crop output by using the right agricultural techniques is an immediate need. Agribusinesses must focus on crop variability, production management, and protection management in order to increase yield.
Crop protection aids in preserving and sustaining plant health and harvests on a large scale. The type of cultures grown and threat determine the most effective plant protection technique. Be it weeds and pests or illnesses; actions must be prompt and, whenever possible, preventative.
The Definition Of Crop Protection
Crop protection is a generic strategy or practice used to safeguard crop yields from a variety of species, including pests, weeds, plant diseases, and other creatures that harm agricultural crops.
Agriculture fields can have weeds, small creatures like rodents, mites, insects, vermin, and disease-causing pathogens, and they would frequently be attacked by birds in addition to the crops. The loss or damage to the crops is primarily the result of these circumstances. Farmers must therefore safeguard their crops from these pests in order to achieve good crop production. So before, during, and after cultivation, crop protection management is essential.
What Are Some Methods Of Crop Protection?
Farmers can use a variety of crop security techniques and instruments to increase the success of their crops. Let’s shed light on some of them-
- Weed Management- Unwanted plants that grow next to the crops are called weeds. These plants interfere with the growth of crops by stealing nutrients, sunshine, water, and other resources. This results in the crops being undernourished, which lowers the yields. In order to protect the crops, farmers eradicate these weeds through a process known as weeding. Some methods of weeding are using weedicides, pulling weeds out manually, using a trowel & harrow and cultivating the area before planting seeds. Herbicides are chemical compounds essential in limiting the growth of weeds and aiding in reducing erosion and water loss.
- Pests & Insect Management- The main cause of crop damage and production loss is a combination of pests and insects. They might destroy the entire harvest and consume an enormous amount of grains. In fact, if they are not controlled, they will lower agricultural productivity by 30 to 50 per cent. Using integrated pest and bug management is the simplest strategy to prevent crop damage. By regulating insects and other pests through pesticide spraying, crop loss can be reduced.
- Plant Disease Management- Another type of crop-damaging influence is pathogenic infections. Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses have an impact on diverse crop sections in a variety of ways. By applying insecticides for killing insects which act as vectors by carrying disease pathogens and biocontrol agents, crops may be protected from these diseases. These are examples of crop protection management that must be practised both before and during cultivation.
- Post-harvest Crop Protection- The crop must be picked as soon as it matures. The act of cutting and gathering a mature crop is referred to as harvesting. The immediate post-harvest activities like threshing and winnowing are also typically included in the term “harvesting.” Threshing is a process used to separate grains from chaff or pods. However, we must separate the grains from the chaffs after threshing.
The process of separating grains is known as winnowing. Before harvesting crops, there are several variables to consider. Close inspection of the crops is required to ensure that harvesting is not early. As a result, seeds are shed, and crops are lost. If the crops are overripe, they will lose market value and may even be unfit for consumption.
Crop Protection With Farming Solutions
Digital solutions are extensively utilized in contemporary crop protection methods. They allow for the accurate examination of soil and plant conditions and offer precise data on outside variables like the weather. Additionally, they enable resource usage to be optimized. The agricultural industry may therefore safeguard their crops, boost their earnings, and lessen environmental harm.
Kheti Buddy is one such farm crop management system that enables agribusinesses to automate the advisory system for various pests & diseases, monitor weather data to identify the potential pest or disease outbreaks, use machine learning for instant resolutions and sustain pesticide residue levels in accordance with standards.
Now keep your crops healthy with Kheti Buddy- Your Farming Companion!
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