Proceedings of 8th

Nematode Awareness Day cum Farmer-Scientist

Interaction programme

An innovative means of nematode awareness campaign was initiated by Association forAdvancement in Plant Protection (AAPP), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV)in partnership with El Tel Agro Marvels Pvt Ltd since 2006. Every year 7th July is observedas a Nematode Awareness Day. This year 8th Nematode Awareness Day & Farmer-Scientist Interaction Programme was jointly organised by AAPP of BCKV, Kalyani, Nadia;Agricultural Technology Management Agency(ATMA),  Siliguri and eL Tel Pvt Ltd on 7th  July 2013 at Block Seed Farm, Salbari of Siliguri Sub-division in the Darjeeling district.

Over 83 participants from 8 districts of West Bengal were assembled and familiarized withthe visual impact of nematodes on rice, tuberose, jute, pointed gourd, poi, okra and othervegetables. The details of the participants benefited (inset news in Bengali Daily) are givenbelow:

District Blocks Number ofparticipants

Darjeeling Phansidewa 28Khoribari 22

 Jalpaiguri Mainaguri Japaiguri SadarDhupguriFalakata

7

Uttar Dinajpur KaliaganjGoalpokher- IRaiganjItahar

6

Dakshin Dinajpur KumargramKusmandi

5

Coochbehar Coochbehar- IDinhataSitalkuchi

4

Malda BamongolaGajol

2

Hooghly PolbaHaripal

6

Bankura Sadar 383

 

The participants primarily comprised farmers, input dealers, NGOs, KVKs, and KrishiPryukti Sahayaks (KPSs), Government Officers from State Department etc. Among theothers, Project Director, ATMA (Siliguri), Deputy Project Director, SMS, Assistant Directorof Agriculture(SM) Siliguri, Assistant Director of Agriculture of Phansidewa, Falakata andNaxalbari and KPSs of different block also participated in this programme.The programme was started with registration of participants followed by an inauguralspeech by Dr D.J. Patel, Former Principal and Dean of BA Collage of Agriculture, Anand,Gujarat. In his inaugural speech, he elaborately discussed about the present scenario ofnematode at different parts of India. He also discussed the strategies to be taken up tomanage the field problems of crops by adopting Integrated Crop Management. Hispresentation indicated alternatives of Methyl Bromide for soil fumigation in open-field aswell protected cultivation system giving emphasis on Dazomet, Metham- Sodium andSuzone, use of organic matter, enriched FYM and application of bioagents for managing soilpathogens including nematodes.Participants were acquainted with nematode infestation (photographs below) in riceseedling, bhindi (okra), jute, tuberose, pointed gourd, red amaranth, cabbage, etc. by Dr.D.J. Patel, Dr. S.K. Laha and Dr M.R. Khan.

There was an open-house discussion session chaired by Dr. D.J. Patel. Expert panel includesDr. S.K. Laha, Retd Principal Scientist (Nematology), CRIJAF(ICAR), Dr. M.R. Khan,AICRP(Nematode), Kalyani Centre (BCKV), Dr. S.K. Ray, Plant Pathologist (BCKV), Dr.

Washim Reja, Entomologist (UBKV), T.K. Bhusan, Project Director, ATMA (Siliguri), Dr. P.Das, ADA (Admin.), Dr. Mahfuz Ahmad,ADA, Khoribari, Mr. Somnath Sil, ADA,Siliguri, etc.Dr. Khan dilated the house about thepresent scenario of nematode problems inWest Bengal and emerging threats ofnematodes in rice nurseries and in off-season cole crops.During post- lunch session, Dr. Pateldiscussed the nematode infestation intobacco and its management. He alsoemphasised the use of resistant cultivarsto combat the situation. He presented theperformance of the variety ABT- 10 inGujarat elaborately.

Dr. Laha shared his experience on nematodeinfestation in jute, mesta and others cropsalong with their management options.Dr. Khan showed a power-pointpresentation on field symptoms ofnematode infestation in different crops fordiagnosis of nematode problems with theirpossible remedies.On this occasion, a colourful diagnosticbook on ‘Pests and diseases of rice and their integrated management (in Bengali) wasreleased by ATMA- Siliguri.

 

 

This presentation follows vigourous discussion with the participants. Farmer-participantsenthusiastically asked various queries on nematodes including other soil pathogens andtheir protection problems in various crops. The problems were heard and experts of relevantfields responded with probable solutions. In this interaction session, officers of ATMA(Siliguri) informed the house with seeking clarifications on current nematode problems infield situations of different blocks.

Finally, the programme ended with very warm and encouraging response from theparticipants and thanks to and from the chair.

Reported by Dr M.R. Khan, BCKV, Kalyani