Want better Pea yields? know about 7 major diseases and their control measures

Pea crop diseases

Krishi Dunia

• 04 Dec, 2024 11:30 AM IST ,
• Updated Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:30 PM

Pea cultivation is extremely important as a winter crop in India. It plays a significant role in both domestic consumption and export. However, pea crops are highly susceptible to various diseases that can affect their growth and yield. It is crucial for farmers to diagnose and manage these diseases promptly. Let’s explore the 7 major diseases that affect pea crops and their effective solutions.

Powdery Mildew:

Symptoms: White powdery patches appear on the leaves. Plant growth halts.
Management:

• Choose resistant varieties.
• Maintain sufficient space between plants to allow for optimal air flow.
• Use sulfur-based fungicides.

Downy Mildew:

Symptoms: Yellowing on the upper surface of leaves and purple discoloration on the lower surface.
Management:

• Plant resistant varieties.
• Ensure proper irrigation practices.
• Use fungicides when necessary.

Ascochyta Blight:

Symptoms: Dark rings and black lesions on leaves, leading to leaf drop.
Management:

• Follow crop rotation practices.
• Treat seeds with fungicides.
• Spray fungicides on infected plants.

Fusarium Wilt:

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Symptoms: Wilting of leaves, yellowing, and vascular discoloration.
Management:

• Choose resistant varieties.
• Follow crop rotation.
• Adopt soil solarization (solar treatment of soil).

Root Rot:

Symptoms: Brown lesions on roots and wilting of plants.
Management:

• Improve drainage systems.
• Use well-drained soils.
• Use fungicides as needed.

Aphid Infestation:

Symptoms: Curling of leaves, stunted growth, and honeydew secretion.
Management:

• Encourage natural predators like ladybirds.
• Use reflective mulch.
• Spray insecticidal soap.

Pea Enation Mosaic Virus (PEMV):

Symptoms: Mosaic patterns on leaves and stunted plant growth.
Management:

• Use virus-free seeds.
• Control aphid vectors.
• Remove infected plants immediately.

Effective Disease Management Measures for Pea Crops:

1. Selection of Resistant Varieties: Use locally resistant seeds to combat common diseases.
2. Crop Rotation: Implement crop rotation to control soil-borne pathogens.
3. Seed Treatment: Treat seeds with fungicides before planting.
4. Irrigation Management: Maintain balanced irrigation to avoid waterlogging.
5. Soil Solarization: Solarize the soil before planting to reduce soil-borne pathogens.
6. Proper Spacing: Ensure adequate spacing between plants to reduce the spread of diseases.

Conclusion: Effective disease management in pea crops is crucial for increasing yield and quality. By adopting timely measures and a scientific approach, farmers can not only control diseases but also improve the quality and productivity of their crops. Using the right information and modern techniques can make pea cultivation more profitable.

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