What is Infestation?
The presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals or unwanted plants in a place, typically so as to cause damage or disease is called Infestation.
What causes the infestation of field crops?
Field crops are infested by a large number of weeds, insect pests and diseases. If weeds and pests are not controlled at the appropriate time then they can damage the crops so much that most of the crop is lost. Let us look at a few of the common infestations.
- Weeds: Weeds are unwanted plants in the cultivated field. A few examples of weeds are Xanthium, Parthenium They compete for food, space and light with the sown crops. Weeds take up nutrients and reduce the growth of the crop. Therefore, the removal of weeds from cultivated fields during the early stages of crop growth is essential for a good harvest
- Insect pests: They are destructive insects that attack crops, food
Generally, insect pests attack the plants in three ways:
- They cut the root, stem and
- They suck the cell sap from various parts of the
- They bore into stem and
This affects the health of the crop and reduces yields.
- Diseases: Diseases are a major threat to Diseases in plants are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. These pathogens can be present in and transmitted through soil, water and air.
What measures can be taken to control the infestation of field crops?
- Spraying pesticides and herbicides do keep a few insects and pests
- Spraying chemicals that selectively affect the unwanted plants and kill
- Farmers also resort to mechanical removal of weeds. This process is commonly referred to as the weeding process.
What measures can be taken to prevent the infestation of field crops?
- Preparing a seedbed that would ensure better germination of
- Different cropping patterns can also help farmers to get a better
- Varieties that are pests resistant can be chosen to prevent major damages due to a pest attack.
- Varieties of crops that can stand nature’s extremities can also be a good choice for a farmer.
What are the problems faced by farmers post-harvest?
Once crops are harvested, the grains need to be stored properly. When grains are not stored properly, it could lead to major losses.
There are two major threats to crops while storing them.
- Biotic factors: Attack of rodents, pests and other living organisms are the biotic
- Abiotic factors: Abiotic factors would include inappropriate atmospheric conditions like excess moisture and high
These factors can damage the quality of the crops, lead to loss of weight and even cause discolouration of grains.
What measures can be taken to prevent the damage of crops post- harvest?
- Places, where grains are stored, should be clean and must maintain high standards of hygiene.
- Drying the grains before storing them can help solve the problem of moisture. Grains should be dried in the sun as well as in the shade before storing
- Fumigation method of letting out a gas that suffocates pests can also help protect the grains from