| What does the importance of balanced fertilizer in maximizing crop production? |
Top |
| The balanced use of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash fertilizer in combination with micro nutrients (Zinc and Boron) help to increase crop growth and yield. “4R” approach (right source, right place, right amount and right record keeping) is the key to balance use of fertilizer. |
|
| |
|
| How can a farmer be aware of weather changes in his area? |
Top |
| He can use mobile apps. and Pakistan Meteorological Department website. Furthermore, local agri scientists/ climatologists / crop modelers can be contacted for field operations in view of weather changes time to time. |
|
| |
|
| What is the effect of increased temperature on grain quality? |
Top |
| Increased temperature affects starch granules, amylose and protein contents in grain resulting in poor grain quality with reduced grain weight. |
|
| |
|
| How can a farmer grip over local market system through crop produce? |
Top |
| The sowing of different crops in proper rotation according to need and market value during one season can benefit the farmer without effecting rate of produce in area. |
|
| |
|
| When and which of the herbicides can be used in rice to control weeds? |
Top |
| Among some broadleaf and narrow leaf weeds, Ghora grass (Chinese sprangletop) is the burning issue in rice now a days which can be controlled effectively by using pre-emergence herbicide Council Active @ 75g/acre and Green Son as post emergence herbicide @ 500 ml/acre. |
|
| |
|
| What is organic agriculture? |
Top |
| Organic food production is based on a system of farming that imitate natural ecosystems, balance pest and beneficial organism populations, maintain and replenish fertility of the soil in which no synthetic measure is used to grow crops. |
|
| |
|
| How do organic farms manage fertility? |
Top |
| Organic farmers manage crop nutrients through a crop rotation, cover crops, application of plant and animal organic matter (compost), mined minerals. Appropriate tillage and cultivation practices also improve soil structure, organic matter content and soil microbial life |
|
| |
|
| How are insect pests managed on organic farms? |
Top |
| Organic farm systems protect crop damage by insect pests primarily through the use of biological and cultural practices such as crop rotation, diversification, habitat management, beneficial organism releases, sanitation and some botanicals measures. |
|
| |
|
| Why is vermicompost so good for plants? |
Top |
| Vermicompost makes nutrients available to plants. When compost is mixed with water, it has the ability to hold many nutrients, which can then be taken up by plants. Also, as worms process (digest) the food scraps, the nutrients in the food are changed into forms which can then be used by plants. |
|
| |
|
| Which herbicides can be used in potatoes for weed control? |
Top |
| Herbicides that can be used for weed control in potato crop include Metribuzine as pre-emergence @ 250g/acre and Selective faster as post emergence @ 300 ml/acre. |
|
| |
|
| What are the health benefits of stevia? |
Top |
| The possible health benefits of stevia are: Reduce cholesterol level, lowers blood pressure, excellent relief for upset stomach, helpful for diabetic patients and have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. |
|
| |
|
| Is stevia as sweetening agent in desserts safe for diabetic patients? |
Top |
| Yes, because stevia has zero calories. |
|
| |
|
| Which of the new crops may be more beneficial than major crops? |
Top |
| Kalonji (Nigella sativa), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Ispaghol (Plantago ovata) and Quinoa can be beneficial as they require less production cost and give more return. |
|
| |
|
| What measures are recommended to cope with rust of wheat? |
Top |
| The three important practices should be followed to avoid or minimize rust attack on wheat. Firstly, the crop will be sown during first fortnight of November. Secondly select latest approved varieties and lastly seed treatment with recommended fungicide. The foliar application of fungicide may be applied at booting stage. |
|
| |
|
| What is best sowing time of chickpea in thal area? |
Top |
| The sowing of chickpea in rainfed area is entire month of October while in case of irrigated conditions the sowing should be done from 15th of October to end of the month. |
|
| |
|
| What are latest and approved varieties of chickpea and seed rate? |
Top |
| These are latest approved varieties of chickpea. Bittal- 2016, CM-2016, Bhakker-2011, Punjab-2008. Seed rate for bold grain varieties will be 30 kg/acre while for small seeded varieties 25 kg/acre can be used. |
|
| |
|
| What are important recommendations for cotton during month of October? |
Top |
| The farmers usually stop irrigation and pesticides application. Don’t stop irrigation and application of spray against sucking pest during the month of October. The cotton picking should be carried from 10 am to 4 pm to keep control on moisture percentage for good quality. |
|
| |
|
| What are the approved varieties of coarse and fine rice? |
Top |
| Approved varieties of coarse rice are: IRRI-6, KSK-282,133,434 and NIAB-9. While varieties of fine rice are basmati-385, 2000, 515, super basmati, shaheen basmati, PS-2 and PK-386. |
|
| |
|
| What is the importance of zinc for rice and what are its benefits? |
Top |
| It’s an important nutrient for rice as its deficiency will affect the plant growth, lesser number of tillers and grain formation will also be affected which causes yield loss. Zinc application will help in early ripening, increases the functioning of hormones for protein synthesis and ultimately enhances yield. |
|
| |
|
| How can we increase fertility status of sandy soil? |
Top |
| The sandy soil has low fertility status mainly due to low organic matter, which can be improved by proper crop rotation with legumes, green manuring, farm yard manure, compost, press mud, stubble incorporation (avoid burning). Inclusion of pulses in-between rice wheat cropping system in riverain belt may be adopted. |
|
| |
|
