Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Valida - The Shield Against Potato Diseases

Sumitomo Chemical has successfully addressed the problems faced by the potato cultivators of Punjab. There has been an increase in the incidence of the black scurf of potato. Punjab alone, has witnessed an increase in incidence of this disease by 12% as compared to the last year. The disease commonly affects the tubers, sprouts, stems and stolons. The most common symptom is black scurf comprising of dark brown to black irregular lumps sticking on the surface of tubers. These irregular lumps are closely adhered to the tuber surface and do not wash off easily. Other symptoms on the tuber include skin cracks, crater like depressions, pitting, stem-end necrosis and shape deformity. The disease often causes sprout injury both in storage and in fields after planting. The affected sprouts show discoloration of tissue. The heavily infected sprouts cannot emerge from soil leading to gappy germination.The emerging sprouts when infected later develop cankers causing girdling of stem bases. Such affected plants show upward rolling of leaves with pinkish or purplish margin. Often small green or reddish aerial tubers are also formed in the axils. The infection also spreads to roots and developing stolons resulting in rotting of cortical tissues. Such infected roots later shed away hence infected plants have poor root system. Infected stolons give rise to deformed tubers.

Till date the following chemicals are used for the control of black scurf in potato:
  • Emison + Carbendazim
  • Boric Acid + Carbendazim
  • Monceron
Sumitomo Chemical introduces a new product "Validacin" to combat this deadly disease. Validacin is a Japanese product meant for Rhizoctonia solani. It is different from other products available in the market because it is systemic in nature, while others are contact in nature. Validamycin 3% L is both systemic fungicide and antibiotic. It is the best solution for control of Rhizoctonia fungus.



Key features:

  • Lesser cost as compared to existing
  • Longer effect
  • No residue in crop as well as soil
  • Bio Pesticide & Eco Friendly
  • Non Toxic to beneficial insects & Human
  • Real Natural Systemic fungicide and Antibiotic


Validacin pricing:

  • Market Price: Rs. 500/ltr
  • QUANTITY DISCOUNTS –10 RS ON 1000 LTRS.                                                                                                  –20 RS ON 2000 LTRS.


Mode of action:
The chemical is absorbed by the cells of the pathogenic fungus as nutrilite and transmitted through the hyphae (filaments which constitute body of fungus), whose growth is affected as soon as the contact with the active ingredient is established. This makes the hyphal top abnormal and inhibits the growth of the hypha through inhibiting the synthesis of inositol which is the essential for the growth of the fungi.

Comparison:



Method of application:
1. As a spray250 ml per pump Validacin spray on 6-7 Qtls potato, change the side and then spray once more with the new solution of same dose and dry it in shade.
2. As a dip250 ml per 100 Ltr of water dipping for 6-7 Qtls and dry it in shade. 

How is an antibiotic an Edge with Validacin?
> Antibiotics are chemicals that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other organisms like parasites, and fungi e.g. Streptomycin.
> They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing.
> Chemical substance that in dilute solutions can inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms also.

So with Validacin we are having an edge of Systemic on all the existing contact fungicide as well as of Antibiotic too.

#These blogs were written as a part of the internship program at Sumitomo Chemicals.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Sumitomo Chemical combats diseases in potato

Sumitomo Chemical, a renowned agro-chemical company, has always had an upper hand in creating awareness among the farming community of India. It has shown its presence in the Punjab region too. Sumitomo Chemical company is now educating the farmers of Jalandhar, focusing mainly on the potato cultivators of the region.

The main disease of the region being the black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani, was highlighted by the company. 

The following are the symptoms of the disease:

  • Black speck, black speck scab, russet scab on tubers
  • At the time of sprouting dark brown colour appear on the eyes
  • Affected Xylem tissue causes to wilting of plants
  • Infected tuber contains russeting of the skin
  • Hard dry rot with browning on internal tissue
  • Spongy mass appear on the infected tuber.
  • Seed tubers are source of spread
  • Moderately cool , wet weather  and temp 23 °C are the favourable for the development of disease




About pathogen:
The mycelium is hyaline when young and brown at maturity. Hyphae are septate and branched with a characteristic constriction at their junction with the main hyphae. The branches arise at a right angle to main axis. Sclerotia are black. A basidium bears four sterimata each with a basidiospore at the end. The basidiospores are hyaline, elliptical to obovate and thin walled. They are capable of forming secondary basidiospores.

Mode of spread and survival:
The fungus is capable of leading a saprophytic life on the organic material and can remain viable in the soil for several years. The sclerotia on the seed tubers is the principal source of infection of the subsequent crop raised with these tubers. On return of favourable conditions the mycelium present in the soil may develop producing new hypae.



Management:
Disease free seed tubers alone should be planted. If there is a slight infection of black scurf in the harvested potatoes it can be controlled by spraying 250 ml per pump Valida spray on 6-7 quintals potato, change the side and then spray once more with the new solution of same dose and dry it in shade or dip them in 250 ml per 100 Ltr of water dipping for 6-7 quintals of potato and dry it in shade.

#These blogs were written as a part of the internship program at Sumitomo Chemicals.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Sumitomo Chemical Active at Kapurthala Farmer Fair

Sumitomo Chemical, one of the leading manufacturers of agro chemicals, actively participated in the farmer fair at Kapurthala, Jalandhar in Punjab. Ever since its establishment, Sumitomo Chemical has contributed largely to the society through its business activities. It promotes an environment which eliminates pollution and helps increase crop yields.
The one day farmer fair at Kapurthala was held on 25th September 2014, which was inaugurated by the Agriculture Minister of the Punjab. The fair witnessed more than half a thousand of visitors who had come from various nearby areas. With its exclusive product range for potato cultivators of Punjab, Sumitomo Chemical Company educated the farmers regarding their products. The company also addressed to various queries of the crowd.
Large potato cultivating farmers of Punjab from over 25 different villages had visited the fair where in various demo plots of the Sumitomo products were displayed. Out of these, the most attractive demo plot was that of “Progibb” - a growth regulator used to control a wide range of deformities in potato.

Mr. Sudheer Godara promoting the usage of Sumitomo Chemicals for potato cultivators

farmers at the Kapurthala fair in the Sumitomo stall

Mr. Mohit Chahal, a representative of Sumitomo Chemical promoting the usage of the right chemicals at the right time

Mr. Shafat Hussain, a representative of Sumitomo Chemical addressing the issues of the farmers

Mr. Shelke Sagar, a representative of Sumitomo Chemical addressing the issues of the farmers and educating them regarding the products and their usage.

Mr. Shafat Hussain, a representative of Sumitomo Chemical educating the farmers of Punjab about the products

Educating the farmers regarding the products of Sumitomo Chemical

Demo plot of Progibb

Demo plot of Progibb – a growth regulator by Sumitomo Chemical


In Punjab, out of the 22 districts, most of the potato cultivation is concentrated in 11 districts, namely Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Moga, Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar and Rupnagar. Although their share to the total geographical area of Punjab is 44.4%, their contribution to total potato acreage of the state28 is about 81.1%. The farmers of Punjab grow three potato cultivars of late (Kufri Badshah), medium (Kufri Jyoti) and early (Kufri Pukhraj) maturity groups. Together, these three cultivars account for about 90% of total potato acreage in Punjab. The potential production at various locations in Punjab is brighter if the farmers are properly educated regarding the use of various protection supplements.  The crop in the northern plains of India comprises the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana contributes 90% of total potato production in the country.

The farmers appreciated the results that the products gave and said that the future of this year’s potato produce is bright when these products are effectively used in cultivating potato by the farmers of Punjab. Sumitomo Chemical Group will continue to contribute to solving the problems faced by the agrarian society of the nation. 

#These blogs were written as a part of the internship program at Sumitomo Chemicals.

Sumitomo Chemical educates the potato cultivating farmers of Jalandhar

Sumitomo Chemical Company which has a huge coverage in the market has always been supreme in the sector of agrochemicals. The company is striving hard to educate the potato cultivators of Punjab.
Potato is the 3rd largest crop in all over the world which is consumed by billions of people. Demand for potato is very high in world and it will increase future especially from developing countries. Food and agriculture organization of UN has declared potato “food for future”. NowIndia is the second largest producer in world.

There is top five producer of potato in world are China (74.8Mmt), India (41.565 Mmt), Russia (21.1(Mmt), Ukarine (18.7 Mmt), US (18.3 Mmt). In India in 2011-12  are of area was 19.07 lakh ha  and production was  4,14,82,800 tone  and yield was 217.53 q/ha.   In 2012-13 it has increased with a tremendous rate area became 19.922 lakh ha and production was 45343600 tone and yield was 227.6 q/ha.


 In Punjab in 2011-12   area was  84114hac, production was 2.10 mtone and yield was 25.01 metric tones. This figure has increased in 2012-13 as area became 85144  hac, production was 2.13 m tone and yield has also increased.




Price was 400-500 per quintal during January 2012 to april 2013. Increased in may to oct 2013 in 500 -750.Jan 2014 price was 1500-1600 rs/q ,1450-1550 in feb, mar 1300-1400. This data directly shows that this increment in area production and yield of potato crop in india there is huge scope to earn profit via growing this crop . Even there is increment in price also. Potato crop is very important to make high profit .

#These blogs were written as a part of the internship program at Sumitomo Chemicals.