Coimbatore : 

Advising farmers in rice growing areas to carry out integrated pest and disease management in rice, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has said that farmers growing samba rice in Cauvery delta and other rice growing areas should be vigilant against the possible infection of diseases. In its monthly pest and disease forecasting report, Centre for Plant Protection Studies of TNAU, cautioned that insects and pests like thrips and caseworms are expected in the nursery during this samba season. “It is recommended to adopt methods like wet seed treatment and seedling root dip to tackle this issue”, said a communique from TNAU.

Under the wet seed treatment method, seeds should be treated with carbendazim, a fungicide before sowing. Under the seedling root dip method nursery seedlings should be dipped in a solution dissolved with pseudomonas fluorescens before planting. Light trap to monitor adult moths and other insects, applying neem cake and spraying neem oil can be followed for controlling insects. Further details can be had from the department of agricultural entomology of TNAU at 0422-6611226.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Tamil Nadu Agricultural University / TNN / August 02nd, 2013