Ahead of critical farming season : SKUAST-K issues Dos & Don’ts for apple growers

Srinagar, Jul 02: The Directorate of Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), on Thursday issued a comprehensive advisory for apple growers across the Union Territory, urging them to follow recommended agricultural practices to safeguard orchards and ensure healthy crop yield. The advisory, issued ahead of the critical farming season, outlines a detailed set of dos and don'ts for growers, covering pesticide usage, protective measures, irrigation, mulching, and fertiliser application. The university has appealed to all media platforms to disseminate the advisory on priority to ensure maximum reach among the farming community. Dos: Purchase pesticides only from registered dealer(s) having valid license. Check Batch No., Registration No., Manufacture /Expiry Date on the labels. Always purchase with proper bill or invoice. Read instructions on pesticide container label carefully before use. Always use clean water for making pesticide suspension as per requirement. Use protective clothing viz., hand gloves, face masks, aprons, etc. to cover whole body. Use only the pesticide brands and doses recommended by SKUAST-Kashmir. Spray pesticide during morning or evening hours. Ensure adequate irrigation to alleviate moisture stress. Employ grass mulch (4-6 inches) thick around tree canopy. Apply 2nd dose of Fertilizer if not applied earlier. Don’ts: Don’t use any agrochemical that is not recommended by SKUAST-Kashmir Avoid tank-mixing different agrochemicals Don’t use muddy or stagnant water for preparing pesticide suspension. Don’t prepare or spray pesticides without wearing protective clothing. Don’t use over or sub lethal dose of pesticide. Don’t spray during day time when temperature is high.