Traditional Practices in Agriculture FULL - ANGOC Site

3.2 PULSES 

Idia is very unique related to food culture because of the role of 

diverse pulses in our agriculture and cuisine. Pulses supply 

vegetable proteins as essential adjuncts to the predominently 

starchy diets and therefore they form a very important component 

of Indian dietary. 

Being leguminous crops having nodules in their roots, they fix the 

atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic activity of the bacteria in 

their root nodules. Therefore, growing of pulses invariably enhances 

soil fertility. 

a. Redgram (Cajanus cajan) 

Redgram also called as pigeon pea is invaribly used almost everyday 

to provide protein 

food in peninsular 

India. It is extensively 

used as ‘Dal’ and its 

green pods are used 

as fresh vegetable. 

Husks of pods along 

with broken or 

affected seeds form a 

very valuable cattle 

feed. It is also planted as a soil renovator to break-up the sub-soil 

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and as a contour hedge to check soil erosion. In plantations, it is 

generally grown as a cover crop. 

1. Redgram is also grown as an intercrop in sorghum and 

groundnut and also as a border crop in sugarcane. 

2. Five kg of Tobacco waste is dissolved in 10 litres of water and 

diluted with 50 litres of water to control sucking pests and 

caterpillars. 

3. Redgram seeds are mixed with ant hill soil with little moisture, 

dried and stored to avoid storage pests. 

4. To reduce the incidence of store pests in redgram, smear the 

seeds with Neem oil / Pognamia oil / Castor oil. 

5. Castor seeds are fried, powdered and mixed with redgram 

seeds to reduce pest attack during storage. 

6. Storing the redgram seeds after mixing them with one kg of 

‘sweet flag‘ (Acorus calamus) powder, will be sufficient to treat 

50 kg of seeds to preserve them for one year. 

7. Mix the dried leaves of Vitex negundo or Neem leaves with 

redgram seeds before storage. 

8. One kg of Neem or Vitex leaves is powdered, made as a paste 

with water and mixed with 100kg of redgram seeds. 

9. Drying the redgram seeds well and storing them in gunny bags 

after placing dried leaves of Ocimum canum inside them helps 

to prevent pod borer attack. 

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10. Putting the pods of dried chilies in the redgram containers helps 

to control bruchids (beetle) attack. 

11. Red gram is heated with caster oil and stored in earthen vessel 

(vaade) – Cost effective control method and a low cost storage 

structure – Oil removes glued eggs and acts as physical barrier 

to pests. 

12. Coating red earth to overnight soaked red gram and drying in 

shade – Reduces insect damage and facilitates milling – 

Wetting and drying (thawing ) process loosens husk from kernel 

and red earth acts as Physical barrier to the storage insect . 

b. Blackgram (Phaseolus mungo) 

Blackgram attracts 

high price among all 

pulses and it is highly 

rich in phosphoric 

acid. It is more often 

used for preparing 

pappad which is a 

very popular side 

dish with any kind of 

meal, routine or 

special. Using ground 

blackgram dhal and mixing with ground rice for preparation of ‘Idlis’, 

has made a tremendous impact that even in hospitals, Idlis are 

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preferred to bread loafs. Diabetic patients who are normally advised 

to avoid rice are safely recommended to eat Idlis. 

1. One hundred ml of Neem oil is dissolved in 10 litres of water 

and mixed with five gm of detergent powder; and sprayed to 

control powdery mildew in blackgram. 

2. Dry the blackgram seeds well under the Sun to avoid storage 

pests. 

3. Smear the blackgram seeds with castor oil to increase the 

keeping quality. 

4. Mix the blackgram with one kg sweet flag (Acorus calamus) 

powder for treating 50 kg of seed. 

5. Blackgram grains broken into halves will escape from weevil 

attack during storage. 

c. Greengram (Phaseolus aureus) 

Greengram is very 

similar to blackgram 

and cowpea in plant 

habit but it is more 

drought resistant than 

the latters. Its 

cultivation is spread 

all over the country. 

Grains, whole or split 

as dal are used as 

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pulses. Unlike other pulses, it is easily digestible without producing 

heaviness or flatulence. Grains are also eaten fresh, whole, parched, 

salted and boiled with condiments. The crop has a restorative effect 

on soil. The straw and husk form fodder for cattle. 

1. Four kg of Neem seeds powdered, placed in muslin cloth and 

tied are soaked in 10 litres of water for 24 hours; the content is 

filtered and 50 gm of soap powder is added to the filtered 

extract and diluted with 90 litres of water and sprayed in the 

evening times which will control pod borer. 

2. Greengram seeds are coated with Neem oil, Pongamia oil & 

Castor oil to preserve them as seed for the next season. 

3. Mixing the greengram seeds with sand before storage will 

prevent grams from storage pest attack. 

d. Field Bean (Dolichos lablab) 

Field bean is the most popular 

pulse crop especially when it is 

consumed as green and fresh 

vegetable. It is widely grown in 

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh 

States. Formerly it was limited to 

rabi season only and now with the 

advent of varieties that could be 

grown during any season, it is being cultivated throughout the year. 

It is highly proteinacious and forms a very good combination with 

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agi preparations. Being leguminous, it also adds to the fertility of 

soil. Dried seeds are used both as whole grain and as Dal (broken). 

1. Two kg of Vitex negundo leaves are chopped and grinded well 

and two kg of Neem cake powder mixed together in five litres 

of water and filtered. this is diluted in 50 litres of water, mixed 

with 25 gm of detergent powder. This will help to control 

shedding of flowers and pre mature falling of pods in field bean 

and also helps in pest control. 

2. Wood ash broadcasted early in the morning (before sunrise) 

controls many pests. 

3. Green pods with matured seeds are harvested for vegetable 

purpose. 

4. Field beans seeds are mixed with ant hill soil with little moisture, 

dried and stored to avoid storage pests. 

5. Wood ash and dried neem leaves are used in seed preservation 

of Field Beans. 

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e. Horsegram (Dolichos biflorus, L.) 

Horsegram is the most 

extensively grown pulse 

crop in South India and 

Karnataka is the lead 

state. It is the most 

drought hardy crop and 

can be relayed with the 

Karif crops at their 

harvest stage. It is the 

most common pulse crop 

used by the poor class. It 

is an excellent fodder for horses and cattle. It is very good for hay 

making and for green manuring. 

1. Under rainfed conditions, immediately after the harvest of the 

groundnut. horsegram seeds are broadcasted in between the 

rows of redgram / field bean and ploughed once only. The 

seeds germinate and grow in the field by utilizing the residual 

moisture in the field. No irrigation is given. 

2. The crop will be ready for harvest in about 70 days. The plant 

will be uprooted and made into bundles and Sun dried and 

seeds are separated from the straw. The straw and plant twigs 

are utilized as cattle feed and seed as pulse for human and 

animal consumption. 

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3. The leaves fallen on the field will be mixed into the soil which 

add organic matter to the soil. The roots also fix atmospheric 

nitrogen and thus improve soil fertility. 

4. Horse gram is stored in empty common salt bags – insect 

damage is reduced – Salt prevents hatching of storage pests 

eggs and also acts as a preservative 

f. Cowpea (Vigna catjang) 

Cowpea is commonly used 

as a pulse crop. It matures 

in 75-90 days facilitating the 

farmers to use it in mixed 

cropping and multiple 

cropping. It is also used as a 

green manure crop. Cowpea 

when mixed with ground nut 

at 1 row after every 10 rows 

of groundnut will help as a 

catch crop for red hairy catterpillar of groundnut. It is a rich source 

of protiens. As a fodder it is highly palatable to all types of livestock 

and it can fed either green or made into hay. 

***** 

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3.3 OIL SEEDS 

India is the home for diversity of oilseeds, which play a very 

important role in agriculture. It goes without saying that various 

edible oils form an inevitable component in the preparation of food 

stuffs and the usefulness of including oils in our dietaries does not 

warrant any special mention. Seeds like groundnut are directly 

consumed while in respect of others, oil is extracted and used in 

food preparations. Oil cakes and plant residues (stalts) have varied 

uses like cattle feed, soil amendments, pest control and used as 

manures. 

a. Groundnut (Arachis hypogea, L.) 

Groundnut is one of the chief sources of vegetable oils extensively 

used for cooking 

purposes. It is a 

delicate edible oil 

and a delicious nut 

too. Groundnut 

seeds are rich in 

proteins and 

vitamins A, B etc. 

The oil content of 

the seed varies 

from 44 to 50 per cent depending on the variety. It is a very 

nutritious food for the growing children, pregnant women. 

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The oil cake contains 7-8% of N, 1.5% of P 2 O 5 and 1.2% of K 2 O 

and is used both as a manure and as a cattle feed. The haulms 

after drying or silage are fed to cattle. Groundnut shell can be used 

as a fuel and mulching purpose for the plants. It is termed as a 

pseudo-legume with root nodules and thus is capable of 

synthesizing atmospheric nitrogen and thereby improve the soil 

fertility. 

1. Summer ploughing 

is practiced to 

expose and destroy 

the pupae of pests. 

2. Sheep penning is 

practiced for better 

yields. 

3. During nights, 

burning heaps of 

straw in several places near the fields along with a bucket full 

of water or castor cake dissolved in water near the fire helps 

to attract and kill the insects. 

4. Grow cowpea as border crop to attract Red Hairy caterpillar 

(RHC). 

5. Grow castor as a border crop (trap crop) to reduce the attack 

of tobacco cut worms. 

6. Adopt crop rotation to control Red Hairy Catter pillar (RHC) 

pest. 

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7. After sowing, tying tapes (reflectors) in criss-cross manner in 

the groundnut field helps to avoid bird damage. 

8. White threads or black cloths are tied around the fields to 

prevent damage by the birds. 

9. Empty iron drums are beaten in groundnut fields to ward off 

the birds and wild boars. 

10. Mix neem oil with irrigation water at second or third irrigation 

to prevent root rot in groundnut. 

11. Spray lime solution to control leaf roller, and spraying water 

also brings down the leaf roller attack. 

12. Neem oil solution 4% or neem kernel extract 6% is sprayed to 

control rust disease in groundnut. 

13. Spray neem oil@ 6 lit /ac to control root rot. 

14. To control groundnut ring mosaic, dried sorghum or coconut 

leaves are powdered and boiled in water to 60 0 for one hour, 

filtered, diluted and sprayed two times at 10 days interval. 

15. Grinding well and dissolving 10 kg of the leaves of Aloe vera in 

water and spraying for an acre to control Red Hairy Caterpillar 

(RHC) in groundnut. 

16. Groundnut kernels stored with their shells have longer storage 

life i.e. even for one year. 

17. Sun drying the groundnut seeds for longer period will reduce 

its viability 

18. Seed kennels are stored viable up to three months only. 

19. Groundnut seed treatment: Boil water in a container and place 

the lantana leaves in the hot water. Cover the container with a 

lid and put weight on it. Allow the leaves in the container 

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overnight. Filter the solution and add 100 gm of jaggery. 

Sprinkle the solution on groundnut seeds and mix it 

thoroughly. It prevents attack by ants, seed rot and dying of 

young plants. 

b. Gingelly (Sesamum indicum) 

Gingelly is a very important 

oilseed crop. It is extremely 

medicinal value in Ayurvedic 

preparation and used in many 

cuisines worldwide. The seeds 

will get nutty flavour 

enhanced by roasting. We can 

three varieties of Gingelly. 

With an oil content varying 

from 46 to 52 per cent. But in 

expellers and rotary mills 

hardly 40-42 per cent oil can 

be extracted while with village 

ghanis it varies from 36 to 38 per cent. The fried seeds can be 

eaten in the form of sweet meats and they are mixed in various 

preparations to add taste and value to them. Oil is used as a 

cooking medium in South India. It is also used for anointing the 

body, preparation of perfumes and medicines. Oil cake is edible and 

the working class like it and use avidly. It is a highly nutritious food 

for milching animals. 

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1. Spray diluted cow urine to control leaf roller. 

2. Gingelly seeds are stored in dried outer shells of bottle gourds 

or small earthen pots 

3. Storing gingelly seeds after mixing them with ash helps 

preventing store pests. 

4. Mix gingellly seeds with activated clay for storage. 

5. Addition of palm sugar to gingelly during oil extraction gives 

higher oil recovery. 

6. Storing gingelly oil in mud pots increases its keeping quality 

for more than a year 

7. Putting a small piece of palm sugar in to gingelly oil increases 

its keeping quality. 

c. Coconut (Cocos nucifera) 

Coconut is a perennial 

tree grown in a garden 

as a plantation crop. It 

is widely used for 

culinary purposes, 

although it is primarily 

employed 

for 

extracting oil from 

copra. Commercial 

copra contains about 

50 to 75 per cent oil, and it is used in making vegetable ghee and 

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hard soaps. It is also used as a cooking medium in some places and 

also for anointing the body. 

This plant is called as “Kalpavriksha”, because, Husk is used for 

making coir, Trunk have timber value, shells and nuts are used as 

fuel, leaves are used for making mats and roofing huts, tender 

coconut is consumed as sweet drink and has medicinal value, oil 

cake is used as cattle feed and every part of tree is useful in one 

way or the other. 

1. Mulching by burrying of coconut husks around the tree helps 

to conserve moisture and to control weeds. 

2. Coir waste is applied as mulch around the tree above which a 

layer of red soil is applied. 

3. To retain soil moisture in coconut garden, compost, cow dung 

and ash are applied in a circular trench around the tree and 

covered with top soil. 

4. Spraying neem oil helps to reduce flower shedding. 

5. To prevent button shedding, common salt is applied around 

the growing tip @ 2 kg /tree during rainy season, which of late 

is controversial. 

6. Apply ash to control button shedding. 

7. Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea) and Calotropis gigantea are 

applied in circular basin just before flowering to control button 

shedding. 

8. Application of neem cake in the pits before planting coconut 

avoids the attack of insect pests and ants. 

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9. Earthen pots are placed in small pits in coconut gardens and 

¾ the of the pot is filled with water and ¼ kg of castor cake. 

After three days due to the smell, Rhinoceros beetles get 

attracted, fall in to the pot and die. 

10. Crowns of coconut trees are examined during every harvest 

and adult Rhinoceros beetles are hooked out and killed. 

11. Pour neem cake extract on the growing tip and adjoining 

fronds to control Rhinoceros beetle. 

12. A wooden plank is placed on a wide basin filled with water and 

a chimney lamp is kept in the coconut garden to attract and 

kill the Rhinoceros beetles. 

13. To control stem weevil in coconut, the hole bored by it is 

cleaned and plugged after putting common salt. 

14. While planting coconut seedling one leaf of Agave sp. is 

planted in the pot to retain soil moisture and to control 

termites 

15. Flood the coconut garden to wash off termites 

16. Lime washing is done for 2-3 feet height at the base of 

coconut trees to control termite attack. 

17. To control termites, 500 gm of common salt is dissolved in 5 

litre of water and poured on the trunk. 

18. Poultry birds are reared in coconut gardens to feed on 

termites. 

19. To control Thanjavur wilt of coconut, green manures like 

kolingi (Teghrosea purpurea). Diancha (Sesbania sp.) etc. are 

rised and ploughed in situ or well-decomposed FYM is applied 

followed by the application of neem cake. 

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20. To control stem bleeding, the bleeding mouth on the trunk is 

cut to certain extent, cleaned and poured with lime solution. 

21. Branches of Selma karuvel (Prosopis juliflora) or barbed wires 

are tied around the mid trunk to a height of 2-3 feet to 

prevent climbing of rats and squirrels. 

22. During the first five years, intercrops like groundnut, 

sunflower, blackgram sorghum etc. are cultivated 

23. Add a piece of jaggery (country sugar) in coconut oil to 

separate the dusts and make the oil more clear. 

24. Cow dung slurry and groundnut cake in water is kept in 

earthen pots in coconut gardens @ 20-25 pots per ha. This 

minimizes damage by Rhinoceros beetle. Fermenting mixture 

of cow dung and groundnut cake is known to act as an 

attractant of this pest 

25. Growing red Champak in the vicinity of coconut tree controls 

coconut stem borer. Champak odour acts as a repellent. 

d. Mustard (Brassica nigra) 

It is a very important in Indian 

cooking in seasoning. It is an antiinflammatory, 

anti-fungicidal, 

carminative. It is widely used in 

North India for cooking. 

Chapter 3.3 

Pic 05 

• Mustard is used as an intercrop in vegetable gardens to prevent 

the pest, and it is also a companion crop with Ragi or Sorghum. 

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• Take raw mustard seeds of 500 gm, make a paste, add 200 gm 

of turmeric powder, mix it with one litre of cow urine, add 10 

ltrs of water and spray for all vegetable crops, to prevent 

aphids. 

e. Castor (Rocomos communis) 

Castor is grown for its seed 

having oil content varying from 

35 to 58 per cent, the average 

being 46-47 per cent. Oil is used 

for medicinal, lubricating and 

industrial purposes. Cake is a 

good manure. In sericultural 

areas, leaves are fed to Eri silk worms. 

Chapter 3.3 

Pic 06 

1. Spraying neem oil dissolved in water @ 20 ml per lit. to 

control sucking pests in caster. 

2. Five kg. of neem darnels are powdered, tied in a gunny bag is 

mixed with soap solution and sprayed to control castor 

semilooper and soaked in water for 8 hours after which the 

extract solution 

3. Castor is inter cropped with cropped with cotton groundnut 

etc. 

**** 

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3.4 VEGETABLES 

It is estimated that 20% of daily food of an adult should necessarily 

comprise of vegetables in order to maintain normal health. In order 

to improve the diet of the people, it is essential to encourage 

vegetable production. 

It is natural that vegetable growing farmers make good living out of 

small holdings, and generally they yield higher income in lesser 

time when compared to other food crops. Vegetables can be 

produced in succession on the same piece of land, because they are 

invariably short duration crops and all the family members of 

vegetable grower can be usefully employed throughout the year. 

a. Brinjal (Egg Plant – Solanum melongena) 

Brinjal or egg plant is a 

warm season fruit 

vegetable. This vegetable 

is consumed when they 

are still unripe. Brinjal 

has high nutritive value, 

rich in Vitamins A and B. 

They are used as cooked 

or fried vegetable. This 

vegetable is among the recommended ones for diabetic patients. 

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1. Cow dung and poultry manure mixed in 1:1 ratio if applied to 

brinjal garden during land preparation, gives more yields. 

2. Growing castor in brinjal fields as border crop acts as a trap 

crop for insects. 

3. Growing onion / garlic as intercrop in brinjal helps to control 

many pests including fruit borers 

4. Cultivation of Subsige (Anethum sowa) in Brinjal controls fruit 

borer in Brinjal. Subsige (Anethum sowa) odour repels fruit 

borer 

5. Grinding 40 kg of Neem seeds and applying to one acre on 50 

days old plants, helps in obtaining higher yield. 

6. Neem cake 4 kgs (Powdered), and Aloe vera 4 Kgs (chopped 

and crushed finely) are soaked in 100 liters of water and the 

above mixture is stored in a container closed with lid. After 10 

days, the contents are filtered and sprayed to control thrips in 

one acre of brinjal. 

7. Ash and turmeric powder are mixed in 1:1 ratio and sprinkled 

to control aphids in the morning hours, when the due moisture 

is there on the leaves. 

8. Sprinkling of lime powder helps to control mealy bugs. 

9. Cow urine, neem oil and tobacco decoction are mixed in 1:1:1 

ratio in one litre of water and sprayed to control all sucking 

pests. 

10. Placing one spoon of neem cake at the root zone helps to 

control shoot borer and stem rot. 

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11. Spray neem cake extract to control mites and the spotted 

beetle (Epilachana octopunctata) in brinjal 

12. Brinjal fruits are harvested for market before their stalks 

change from green to brown in colour 

13. For seed extraction in brinjal, medium sized fully ripened fruits 

which are bright yellow in colour are harvested. Then they are 

cut into 4-6 pieces and softened by soaking in water overnight. 

Next day, the seeds are removed and washed well with water. 

After washing add little quantity of wood ash. Dry it in the 

shade and preserve in a cloth / mud pot. 

14. Well matured and ripen brinjal fruits are cut with some portion 

of the stem. And cut the brinjal into 4 parts and tie it with the 

thread and hang it (8 to10 feet) above the chullah (chimney). 

Smoke from the chullah will help the seeds to dry naturally. 

Extracted seeds are mixed with wood ash and shade dried for 

2-3 days and stored upto six months. 

15. Take ½ kg cakes of each are soaked overnight in enough water 

to submerge them. (This quantity is sufficient for an area of 50 

sq. meters). The soaked cake should be broadcasted and 

mixed well with the soil in early morning. It gives good yield 

and reduces the population of all major brinjal pests like root 

aphids, fruit and shoot borer, Epolaehna beetle and other 

major pests. 

16. 1 Kg of fresh custard apple leaves and 1 kg of neem cake 

soaked in 2.5 litre of cow’s urine overnight, then filtered. The 

filtered solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3 and 

3

sprayed on foliage. It gives the effect in controlling the pests of 

Brown hairy caterpillar. 

17. Take 1 kg of fresh custard apple leaves and ½ kg of Neem 

cake are soaked in 3 lts of cow’s urine overnight. The filtrate is 

diluted with 8 lts of water and sprayed. It effects against 

Epilachna beetle, and controls Grub and adult. 

b. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) 

Tomato is a solanaceous fruit vegetable and necessarily a warm 

season crop. Fully 

ripen red and green 

fruits are consumed 

as vegetables. Tomato 

fruits are rich sources 

of Vitamins A, B and C. 

Tomato is consumed 

both cooked and raw 

(preferred in Salads), 

and are used to 

prepare preserves, 

pickles, etc. 

1. Application of tank silt @ 25 t/ ha to irrigated tomato saves 

cost on plant protection and supplies micronutrients that build 

resistance to pests 

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2. Five ml of neem oil, in one litre of water, with one drop of soap 

liquid (which acts as emulsifier) are mixed thoroughly and 

sprayed on the plants to control pests attack and also control 

flower droppings in tomato. 

3. Dissolve 500 gm wood ash and 500 gm cow dung in 10 litre of 

water and spray it to reduce flower dropping in tomato. 

4. Grow marigold as border crop in tomato fields to prevent fruit 

borer and leaf miner attack. 

5. Agriculture and weed waste materials are burnt near the fields 

along the wind direction, immediately after Sunset, to control 

many pests, an old practice by the famers. 

6. To control most of the pests in tomato, 1½ kg. of pungam 

(Pongamia pinnata) leaves, 1½ kg of Nochi (Vitex negundo) 

leaves and one kg of neem leaves are cooked in a container 

for two hours from which decoction is prepared and dissolved 

in 20 litres of water and sprayed during evening hours for 

three or four times at monthly intervals. 

7. One kg of Asafoetida tied in a cloth is kept in irrigation channel 

to control fruit borer. It will be sufficient for one acre 

8. Two kg of neem kernels are powdered and soaked in five litres 

of water for 10 days after which it is filtered, mixed with 50 

litres of water and sprayed for one acre of tomato crop to 

control fruit borer, leaf miner and thrips. 

9. 250 gms of dried tobacco leaves are boiled in 4 litres of water 

for 30 minits, allowed to cool, and filtered. The filtrate is 

diluted with an equal part of water and 30 gms of bar soap is 

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added and sprayed. It effects on diamond backmoth and all 

diamond back die with in one day. It effects against aphids 

also. 

10. Dust wood ash on the crop in the morning hours to control 

aphids, thrips etc 

c. Chilli (Capsicum annuum) 

Chilli also is a solaneous fruit vegetable consumed in both unripe 

and ripe forms. Chilli fruits are very rich in Vitamins A and B, while 

green chillies are rich 

source of Vitamin C. The 

pungent types of chillies 

are used in the 

preparation of condiments 

and the types with larger 

fruits with less pungency 

are consumed raw with 

salads and are also 

cooked and used. 

1. Application of 250 kg of Neem cake per acre results in higher 

yield. 

2. Growing castor as a border crop acts as a trap for tobacco cut 

worms. 

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3. Pruning vegetative branches in chilli enhances plant life and 

yield and induces fruiting branches. 

4. Application of 100 kg of Groundnut cake per acre reduces the 

flower dropping. 

5. Asafoetida @ 1kg/ac powdered, tied in a cloth and placed in 

the irrigation channel will act as a pest repellant. 

6. Grow coriander as intercrop or border crop to act as a repellent 

in controlling all sucking pests. 

7. Spray the leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora (5kg in 50 litres of 

water), two months after planting to control leaf spot, powdery 

mildew and fruit rot in chilies. 

8. Four Kg of Neem seeds powdered, placed in muslin cloth and 

tied are soaked in 10 litres of water for 24 hours; the content 

is filtered and 50 gm of soap powder is added to the filtered 

extract and diluted with 90 litres of water; and sprayed in the 

evening times to control many pests of chillies. 

9. Leaf extract of “Bilwapatra” (Aegle marmelos) is sprayed to 

control fruit rot in chillies. 

10. Red earth treatment to Chili – Retention of red color – Acts as 

insulator against temperature and sunlight 

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d. Lady’s Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) 

Lady’s finger 

commonly called as 

Bhendi is a fruit 

vegetable belonging 

to Malvaceae family. 

Unripe fruits are 

used as vegetables. 

The fruits are rich 

source of Vitamins 

A, B and C in 

addition to possessing iodine and calcium. Unripe fruits are used 

cooked or fried as a vegetable. 

1. Application of five tons of Sheep / poultry / farm yard manure 

per acre gives more yields 

2. To control yellowing of fruits, four kg of fresh leaves of 

Prosopis juliflora are grinded well; add two litres of water, boil 

it for 20-30 minutes; allow to cool for 24 hours which is filtered 

and diluted with 10 litres of water. Add one litre of cow urine 

and spray on the crop. 

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e. Small Onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) 

Onions are used for 

seasoning and flavouring 

vegetable and meat 

dishes. They are used 

for making salads, 

pickles and extracts in 

culinary preparations. 

Onion is an important 

ingredient in preparing 

chutneys and is of great medicinal value. Onions are rich in 

Vitamins B and C. 

1. To get bigger sized bulbs in onion, 15 kg of groundnut cake is 

powdered, placed in muslin cloth, tied and kept in the irrigation 

water channel. 

2. Bunching local small 

onions and hanging to 

the roof enhances 

shelf-life. Hanging 

prevents rodent 

damage and the 

higher temperature 

and air circulation 

near the roof have a 

curing effect. 

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3. Apply two cart loads (300 kg) of wood ash at 25 days after 

planting to control onion blight 

4. Cow dung is dissolved in irrigation water channels to control 

onion blight. 

5. Broadcasting of 15 kg rock salt per acre of onion crop will 

improve the colour of the onion bulbs. This has to be done 

when the crop is 30 days old. 

6. Rolling an empty drum of about 10 kg weight in onion field 10- 

15 days before harvest facilitates removal of stalk and physical 

breaking of photosynthesis from the bulb. 

f. Garden Bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus) 

It is a leguminous 

vegetable having good 

effect on soil fertility due 

to its deep penetrating 

roots and ability to fix 

atmospheric nitrogen. 

Green pods with mature 

seeds rich in protein are 

consumed as vegetables. 

They form an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Green 

pods when consumed inclusive of their outer cover are good to 

combat constipation and indigestion. 

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1. After the Lablab vines fully spread on the bower (pendal), tips 

are clipped off to facilitate more branching and flowering. 

2. Dust wood ash early in the morning (before sunrise) to control 

sucking pests like aphids and thrips. 

3. Dissolve 200 gm of detergent soap in 100 litres of water and 

mix it thoroughly. Spray the above extract to control mealy 

bugs. 

4. One kg leaves of Prosopis juliflora is pounded and soaked with 

one litre of water. After 7 days, filter and dilute with 10 litres 

of water and spray to control yellow mosaic virus 

5. Lablab seeds are mixed with either wood ash or ant hill soil 

with little moisture to hold the mud to cover the skin of the 

seeds, and stored upto one year. 

g. Drum Stick (annual) – (Moringa oleifera) 

In addition to drumstick fruits, 

the leaves and flowers are also 

consumed as vegetables. It is 

highly rich in Vitamin C and 

carotene. It has considerable 

quantity of iron, phosphorus 

and calcium. These days it is 

invariably used as a 

component in Sambar 

preparations on big occasions 

like marriages as it has a 

11

special preference of taste among the consumers in a big way. 

1. Seeds of the drumstick are soaked in the milk and fresh cow 

dung slurry overnight before planting. This will help to improve 

the taste and controls soil borne diseases. 

2. One week old fully fermented buttermilk is poured near the 

trunk and watered. The taste of the leaves and fruits will 

improve, it is believed. 

3. Place a pinch of Asofoetida just deep into the soil near the 

roots of drumstick trees to control hairy caterpillars 

4. Crop wastes and other residues are burnt around the base of 

the drum stick tree to control hairy caterpillars. 

h. Cucurbits 

The crops falling 

under this category 

are 

cucumbers, 

melons, pumpkins, 

squashes 

and 

gourds. They are 

mostly trailers with 

the exception of 

squashes. 

They 

come up well in hot 

weather conditions. 

Chapter 3.4 

Pic. 08a, 08b, 08c, 08d, 08e, 

08f 

Unripe and tender fruits of most of these crops are cooked as 

vegetables. However, musk melon and water melon are consumed 

12

in the form of ripe fruits. Pointed gourd and Coccinia (Thonde) are 

perennial in nature while the rest of them are all annuals. Many of 

the cucurbitaceous vegetables having more self life and can be 

stored. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and possess 

medicinal properties. 

1. Soaking the seeds of snake gourd in cow dung solution for ½ 

hour before sowing helps for early germination and 

withstanding drought conditions 

2. Cucumber and beans seeds dipped in kerosene before sowing, 

keeps ants away from the field. This acts as an ant repellent 

3. Ash is sprinkled on cucumber crop (before sunrise) to control 

aphids and powdery mildew. 

4. Asafoetida (25 gm) is dissolved in one litre of water. Spraying 

the contents helps to control flower dropping. 

5. To avoid coiling and to get straight and elongated fruits in 

snake gourd, small stones are tied at their bottom with the 

threads when they are ½ foot long. 

6. Bitter gourd seeds are pressed on to the cow dung flakes put 

on mud walls, allowed to dry under the Sun and stored in cool 

places after drying. 

7. Fully matured and dried ridge gourd and bottle gourd fruits are 

collected and hanged in the house for seed preservation. 

8. Cucumber and Pumpkin seeds are extracted from fully ripened 

fruits, washed well with water, mixed with wood ash, dried and 

stored up to one year. 

13

i. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) 

It is a very important 

commercial vegetable 

crop. The edible 

portions of this crop 

are the tubers that are 

modified stems and 

they are rich in starch 

and can be stored for 

few months without 

spoilage. 

1. Before planting potato, seeds are dipped in cow dung slurry for 

30 minutes which helps in controlling tuber rot. 

2. Crop rotation of potato with other crops like Marigold and onion, 

is practiced to control golden nematode. 

3. Neem cake powder (150 kg) is broadcasted per acre at 

planting to control tuber rot. 

4. Lime (100 kg) is applied to potato fields at planting to reduce 

acidity in order to control brown rot. 

5. Four kg of Neem seeds are powdered and dissolved in 100 

litres of water and filtered. Add 10 litres of cow urine and mix 

it with 50 gm of detergent powder. Spraying this extract will 

control many pests and diseases of potato. 

14

6. Forming a trench around the heap freshly harvested potato 

and filling with water – Enhances shelf – life – Better 

submerization due to cold storage 

j. Cole Crops 

Cabbage, cauliflower 

and knolkhol fall under 

this group of vegetables 

and they are essentially 

winter season crops. 

Enlarged terminal buds 

of cabbage, flowering 

head of cauliflower and 

enlarged stem of 

knolkhol form the 

essential component of 

vegetables. They are 

rich in Vitamins A and C. 

Chapter 3.4 

Pic. 10a, 10b, 10c 

1. Grow garlic as an intercrop in cabbage to control diamond back 

moth attack 

2. Grow mustard as an intercrop in cabbage crop at two rows of 

mustard for every 25 rows of cabbage to control diamond back 

moth, leaf roller, Heliothis worm etc. (also for cauliflower). 

3. Cauliflower cultivation is avoided during summer months to 

reduce diamond back moth incidence. 

15

4. Cauliflower is cultivated on terraces in sloppy lands to avoid 

soil erosion. 

5. Neem oil 100 ml dissolved in 10 litres of water, is mixed with 

five gm of liquid soap or five gm of detergent powder. Spraying 

this solution will effectively control diamond back moth in 

cauliflower. 

k. Green Leafy Vegetables 

Green leafy vegetables 

have proved over time 

that they provide more 

protective energy to 

human body than any 

other vegetable. Not 

only they are rich in 

Vitamins A, B and C but 

also are the treasure 

houses of minerals like iron and calcium. 

There are nearly 20 leafy vegetables grown in this country all round 

the year. They are very easy to grow and mostly propagated from 

the seeds through direct seeding. 

16

Following are some of the green leafy vegetables grown in the 

country: 

Common Names Popular Name Scientific Name 

Fenugreek Methi Trigonella fiebyngraccum 

Spinach Palak Spinacea oleracea 

Love-lies-bleeding Rajgir 

Amaranthus candatum 

Indian spinach Bayi Basale Basella rubra 

Anethum Sabsige Anethum sowa 

Deccan Hemp Pundi Hibiscus cannabinus 

Indian Sorrel Hulichikki soppu Oxalis corniculata 

Coriander Kotthumbri Coriander sativum 

Dantu 

(Amaranthus) 

Kempu Dantu 

Amaranthus blitum 

Var. oleracea 

Prince’s feather Chikkire Amaranthus polygamous 

Keere 

(Amaranthus) 

Harive 

(Amaranthus) 

Chikka Harive 

Harive 

Amaranthus tricolor 

Amaranthus vividis 

Mentha Pudina Mentha arvensis 

Kirakasale 

(Amaranthus) 

Chilakarive 

Amaranthus blitum 

These are generally cultivated with ease using only farm yard 

manure. They are seldom attacked by pests and diseases, and that 

is how they are the most popular vegetables eaten by every 

common man and their contribution towards common man’s diet in 

India is immeasurable indeed. 

17

General Pest Control Methods and Tips for Vegetables 

1. Maize is grown around vegetable gardens which will act as a 

physical barrier for insects. Insects act as vectors in spread of 

diseases. 

2. Growing Tecoma species and Nerium odorum (Indian oleander) 

as border crops, will act as traps and control the insect pests of 

the main crop. 

3. Planting of garlic, onion, mint, marigold and other aromatic 

plants in between the rows of vegetable gardens will act as a 

natural pest repellent. 

4. Woodash is dusted 

on the crops early in 

the morning (before 

Sunrise) to reduce 

pest attack in 

vegetable gardens. 

5. Spreading of dried 

neem leaves powder 

over the vegetable seedling nursery, helps to control termite 

damage. 

6. Spray a solution made out of 1 kg crushed garlic which is 

soaked in 200ml of kerosene, mixed with 2 kg green chilli 

18

paste & dissolved in 200 liters of water. This will help in 

controlling hairy caterpillar and Heliothis pest. It also acts as 

contact insecticide and a repellent. 

7. Sprinkling with neem 

leaves, cow urine 

mixed with water (1:10 

ratio) helps to control 

many pests and 

diseases. 

8. Four kg of Neem seed 

kernel extract in 100 

litres of water is mixed with 50 gm of detergent powder. 

Spraying the extract will destroy the eggs (ovicidal 

properties) of the insects and also it controls many pests in 

different vegetables. 

9. Cooked rice is spread in the fields which attracts birds and 

incidentally predate on semi-looper and other insects. 

10. Take five kg of tobacco powder is soaked in five litre of water 

and add one litre of cow urine, keep for five days. Filter and 

dilute with 50 litres of water and spray to control the sucking 

pests. 

19

11. Take two kg each of custard apple leaves, neem leaves and 

lantana leaves, crush them finely and boil with five litres of 

water. Filter this mixture, add one litre of cow urine and five 

gm of detergent soap. Dilute with 10 litre of water, and spray 

to control many pests in vegetables. 

12. Take 25 kg of weeds from farm or from tank bund areas or 

from roadside. Add 200 gm each of jaggery, salt and tamarind. 

Mix all these items in a container adding 100 litres of water. 

Leave this mixture in a drum for 15 days. This mixture is 

stirred well, once in every three days. After 15 days the 

mixture emanates a bad odour and gets converted to liquid 

form. When this liquid manure is used for vegetable crops, it 

helps for the luxurious growth of the plant. 

13. Take 1 kg each of the plant stems and leaves of Ipomea fistula, 

Agave americana, Datura spp, Pongamia pinnata, Argemone 

mexicana, Annona- squamos, shred and soak in a large pot 

with 10 litre of cows urine, and allow to stand for at least 10 

days and then filter. The filtrate is diluted in a ratio of 1:6 with 

water, and sprayed on the affected vegetable crops. This is 

effective on all major vegetable pests like fruit borers, leaf 

eaters and root damagers. 

14. Take 100 gms of garlic cloves, crush and soak in kerosene, and 

live overnight. 100 gms of green chillies are ground, soaked in 

20

½ litre of water, and left overnight. Both solutions are filtered 

and mixed. 30 gm of soap powder is added and thoroughly 

mixed. The solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5 and 

sprayed. It is effective on the pests like, Diamond back moth, 

Fruit borer and Leafroller. 

15. Take 10 kg of cow dung, 10 litres of cow urine, two kg of 

Jaggery, two kg of groundnut cake, two kg of any cereal flour, 

two kg of Blackgram flour and mix with five litres of water in 

an earthen pot or plastic container. Allow it to ferment for 10 

to 15 days under shade. This liquid is sufficient for vegetables 

in one acre of land. 

16. Application of 200 ml of buttermilk to curry leaf plant every 

week, improves aroma, ensures availability of enzymes, 

vitamins and micronutrients. 

17. The cut ends of plant cuttings are pasted with cow dung ball – 

Better sprouting and rooting – reduces desiccation and acts as 

growth promoter. 

18. Root maggots in radish, onions, cabbage and mustard can be 

controlled by spreading fresh (not hot) wood ash around the 

plant roots. Ashes are then covered lightly with soil. Snails, 

slugs and cutworms can be controlled by encircling plants with 

21

3-4 inch-wide and 1-2 inches deep trench and filling this trench 

with fresh wood ash. Pests will avoid crossing this trench. 

19. Tomato flea beetles can be controlled by spraying a mixture of 

wood ash and water. Cucumber beetles can likewise be 

controlled by spraying a mixture of equal quantities of wood 

ash and powdered lime mixed with soapy water. 

20. To preserve the bitter 

guard seeds place 

the cow dung on the 

wall like chappati. 

Take a ripen bitter 

guard seeds and 

press the seeds in 

the cow dung. It will 

dry automatically and 

use it for propagation. 

21. Wood ash for every kilogram of seed to be stored, add 500 gm 

of fresh dry but cool wood ash, after the seeds have been put 

in the container in which the seeds are to be stored. 

22. Lime also has insect repelling properties. For every kilogram of 

seed, use 50 gm of lime. The mixing can be done in the same 

container in which the seeds are to be stored. 

22

23. Coconut oil or any other vegetable oil is especially for bean 

seeds. For one kilogram of bean seed add 2 teaspoons of 

vegetable oil, Mix the oil with 230 gms of seed and pour it into 

a clean container. Add the remaining seeds and mix till all the 

seeds are coated with oil. It helps the seeds to prevent from 

the pest. 

24. Chilly seeds are immersed in biogas slurry for half an hour to 

promote vigorous growth and to impart disease resistance to 

seedlings 

25. Vegetable seeds of bitter gourd, pumpkin, snake gourd and 

ridge gourd are stored by mixing them with ash. It is wide 

spread practice to plant these seeds after mixing them with 

ash that leads to better growth. 

***** 

23

3.5 FRUITS 

Fruits are liked by people of all ages for their excellent taste, 

flavour and food value. They also help the farm families to become 

commercially viable. They are rich in Vitamins and possess 

medicinal values. Kadaliphalam (Banana) and Narikela (Coconut) 

are documented in traditional scriptures and stone sculptures 

dating back to more than 3000 years. 

a. Banana (Musa Spp.) 

Banana is a very important fruit 

crop of our country next only to 

mango. It comprises of several 

minerals and rich proportions of 

vitamins and has 27 per cent of 

carbohydrates thus forming a 

rich source of energy. 

1. For fresh planting of 

banana, dried leaves, 

twigs, trashes etc. are 

burnt on the field to 

prepare it well. 

2. Two kg of farm yard 

manure, and one kg of powdered neem cake, are applied to 

pits while planting banana suckers 

1

3. Banana suckers are immersed for 30 minutes in one lit of 

neem oil dissolved in 100 litres of water, mixed with 50 gm of 

detergent powder before planting to prevent rhizome rot. 

4. Immersing the banana suckers in hot water for 30 minutes 

before planting them helps to control root grub and rhizome 

rot. 

5. One Kg each of powdered neem cake and tobacco waste are 

soaked separately in 5 lit of water each. The next day, they 

are filtered and decanted solutions are mixed together, in 

which suckers are immersed before planting to prevent 

nematode attack. 

6. Groundnut cake (500 gm) is applied per sucker of banana crop 

for better yield. 

7. Grow Sesbania spp. (trees) as border crop around banana 

fields to act as a shelter crop in order to prevent the wind 

damage. 

8. Dried outer bark around the banana stem is removed once in 

four months to prevent primordial root growth and emergence 

of side suckers there by preventing lodging. 

9. Dried drooping leaves are removed once in three months to 

avoid shade effect, which may produce black spots on fruits, 

and to reduce wind damage thereby preventing lodging. 

10. Onion, tomato, cowpea and lady’s finger are grown as 

intercrops in banana in the early stages i.e. up to 4 months. 

11. Side suckers are uprooted (De-suckering) at monthly intervals 

with long iron rods. 

2

12. Dried and drooping leaves are removed from fifth month 

onwards 

13. Applying 150 gm of neem cake powder per sucker in 3 rd and 

5 th months will prevent nematodes. 

14. To control banana wilt, affected plants are removed and burnt 

and one to two kg of lime is applied to each pit. 

15. The oozing out of gummy substances while removing the dried 

bark indicates stem borer attack. To control this, holes are 

cleaned and plugged with neem cake powder. 

16. To control banana wilt, affected plants are removed and burnt 

and one to two kg of lime is applied to each pit. 

17. For inducing ripening of banana bunches, they are stacked in 

pits and lined with pieces of cut pseudo stem on the sides. A 

porous container having pieces of fuming charcoal is placed at 

the top center. Finally pits are closed air tight with dried 

leaves. 

18. For ripening of banana fruits, banana hands are stacked in a 

tall copper vessel called ‘Anda’. Few fuming incense sticks are 

kept inside and covered with lid for 24 hours. 

19. Neem leaves are put inside a vessel containing banana hands 

for ripening of fruits. But ripening will take about four days. 

20. To induce quick ripening, the leaves of Basella alba (Basale) 

are put into the baskets or gunny bags and bunches are 

stacked inside and covered air tight. 

21. Application of Vaseline, a layer of clay or cow dung ball to the 

cut end of stalk prevents rotting during ripening and storage. 

3

. Mango (Mangifera Indica) 

Mango is the most extensively 

cultivated fruit crop all over India. 

It is considered as the king of fruit 

crops. Fruits are very tasty and 

rich in Vitamins A and C. 

1. For planting mango grafts, 

pits of 3x3x3 feet are dug 25 

feet apart on either side and 

allowed to dry for three months so as to kill the weeds. Pests 

& diseases. 

2. Dried leaves and twigs are burnt and fumigated under the tree 

during early morning before sunrise or late evening after sun 

set which will help the plants to induce flowering and drive 

away the hoppers. 

3. Sunflower is cultivated in between the mango trees to attract 

honeybees, which increases pollination and fruit production. 

4. To bring the non-bearing trees to bearing, the bark on the 

trunk is removed at a height of 3-4 feet from the ground level 

during solar or lunar eclipse day. 

5. Non bearing trees are brought to bearing by digging ½ foot 

deep trench like basin around the tree at 5 feet from the tree 

base in which green leaf manures are applied and covered with 

soil. 

Chapter 3.5 

Pic. 02 

4

6. To induce good bearing in mango, excess and useless roots 

are removed and one kg of bone meal and 50 kg of farm yard 

manure are applied for 10 year old tree. Incisions are made on 

the tree trunk above 1 meter from the ground level and the 

bark removed in circular manner to a width of 2 inches to 

prevent food materials from going to tree base and make it 

bleed. 

7. Filling mustard oil to a shallow depression on the upper 

surface of the thickest Mango branch, prevents fruits drop and 

ascetic layer formation. 

8. Planting cashew in mango orchards, reduces Mango hopper 

incidence. Cashew acts as an alternate host for the hopper. 

9. Dissolve 400 ml of Neem oil in 100 litres of water and mix 50 

gm of detergent soap. Mix thoroughly and spray. It helps to 

control the hoppers. 

10. Dissolve one kg of cow dung in 10 litres of water, add 5 gm of 

detergent soap, and spray on mango plants which ensures 

effective control of sooty mould. Cow dung is a known 

disinfectant and physically removes the pathogen by washing 

off. 

11. To get uniform ripening of mango fruits in a week, fruits are 

spread on paddy straw on the floor and covered with straw 

and the room is kept closed. 

5

c. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) 

Grapes are very tasty fruits 

that supply nourishment to 

human body and provide a 

sort of refreshing when 

consumed. They are easily 

digestible and possess 

calcium, phosphorus and 

iron and other minerals. 

1. Long trenches are dug at a spacing of 10 feet three months 

before planting. In these trenches green leaf manures like 

Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea) Agave spp. and Ekka (Calotropis 

sp.) are applied and covered with soil and allowed to 

decompose. 

2. Neem cake powder is applied at 500 gm per acre to control 

the nematodes. 

3. Cover the grapes bower with coconut or Palm fronds on its 

sides to avoid wind damage to the fruits, free passage of birds 

in to the bower and protect from scorching due to heat waves. 

4. Groundnut cake is powdered, soaked in water overnight and 

poured to grapes at one bucket per pit, for better fruit quality 

and yield. 

5. A portion of the berries at the tip of each bunch may be 

thinned to ensure better fruit size. 

6

d. Guava (Psidium gujava) 

It is a very hardy tree 

and can withstand 

prolonged droughts. 

Cold weather during 

winter induces heavy 

fruiting. It is a very 

popular fruit crop in 

southern states 

especially in northern 

Karnataka. Fruit is very rich in Vitamin C (35-100 mg in every 100 

gm of fruit). It is also a good source of minerals like calcium and 

phosphorus. 

1. Pounding two kg of foliage of Calotropis spp. with three kg. of 

neem cake, soaking them in 20 litres of water for four days, 

dissolving the extract in 200 litres of water and mixing with 50 

gm of detergent soap and spraying on one acre helps to 

control white fly. 

7

e. Acidlime (Citrus aurantifolia) 

This is also called as 

Kaghzi lime known for 

its soury juice inside 

the fruit, which has 

fetched this species a 

higher place than the 

lemons. They are rich in 

Vitamin C and the rural 

folk mostly use them 

for pickles and in cooking especially the ‘Gojju’ that makes a very 

good combination with rice. 

1. Pits are dug and allowed to dry for 3 to 4 months. 

2. Burrying the dog’s carcass at the root zone helps in getting 

higher yields in acid lime. 

3. Applying 10 kg of pig manure per tree, helps to increase the 

yield and to prevent flower shedding. 

4. Four kg of Neem seeds are powdered and dissolved in 100 

litres of water and filtered. Add 10 lit of cow urine and mix it 

with 50 gm of detergent powder. Spraying this extract will 

control leaf miner pest and other diseases. 

5. Dried neem fruits are powdered and applied at 500 gm per 

tree to control the nematode attack. 

6. To control sooty mould, maida flour( 500 gm in 5 lit of water) 

is boiled in water to colloidal stage and it is diluted, filtered 

8

and mixed with cow urine (5 litre) and water (50 litres) and 

sprayed. 

7. Leaves of Kasarka (Strychnos, nuxvomica) mixed with cow 

dung are applied to lemon plants which controls grubs and 

also has fumigation effect. 

8. To bring the lime trees to bearing 4-5 kg of outer seed coat of 

sorghum or pearl millet is applied at the root zone before the 

onset of monsoon season. 

9. For extraction of acid lime seeds, well ripened, big sized fruits 

are put in airtight containers for about 15 days rotting. Then 

the fruits are squeezed, washed with water in bamboo plates 

and dried under shade. 

f. Mandarin Orange (Citrus reticulata) 

This is also commonly 

called as Santra 

Orange. Coorg orange 

in coastal region 

(Kodagu) has a special 

place for its sweet 

taste. It can be grown 

successfully on a wide 

range of soils, although 

medium loam with 

slightly heavier subsoil is well suited for this crop. Santra orange is 

usually budded on rough lemon (Jamberi). 

9

1. Dried forest leaves are applied as mulch to protect soil 

moisture and to maintain uniform soil temperature during both 

summer and winter seasons. 

2. Orange trees attacked by stem borer are given lime wash; 

holes are cleaned and plugged with lime soaked cotton or 

wrapped with lemon grass. 

3. Greenish Aloe Vera plants are cut into small pieces and spread 

to a radius of 2 feet around the tree during flowering to control 

powdery mildew. 

4. Collected orange seeds are mixed with ash to avoid ant’s 

attack. 

5. Prune young trees to build up a strong frame work for better 

bearing. 

g. Pine Apple (Ananas sativus) 

It is a flavourful fruit rich in 

Vitamin A, B and C in addition 

to certain minerals. It grows 

well both in plains and hilly 

areas upto 900 metres. It 

requires well drained soils and 

does not stand high 

temperature or frost. It can be 

propagated by slips and 

suckers. 

10

1. Growing tip is nipped to obtain fruits with more weight and 

size. 

2. Time of harvest is indicated by the colour change at the base 

of fruits from green to yellow. 

h. Papaya (Carica papaya) 

It is a very common fruit 

that is consumed daily as 

that of banana. It is rich in 

Vitamins A and C. It cannot 

tolerate low temperature 

and comes up well under 

warm climate. Strong winds 

are highly detrimental to the 

crop as the hallow stems break easily. Occasional thinning of fruits 

is necessary to prevent over crowding. Low growing vegetables can 

be grown as intercrops in papaya. Papaya itself can be grown as a 

filler crop in plantations of other crops where the spacing is wide 

enough. 

Papaya is not a hermaphrodite and the plant is unisexual. Male 

plants do not bear any fruit and the function of the male flower is 

only pollination. Therefore, in papaya gardens it is necessary to 

have one male plant for every 12-15 female papaya plant. 

****** 

11

3.6 SUGARCANE 

Sugarcane is India’s 

traditional crop and 

is the chief source of 

sugar. It plays a 

pivotal role in the 

economy of the 

country as a cash 

crop. People say that 

jaggery is originated 

in India. According to 

Ayurveda, Jaggery is anti-diabetic, high in Vitamins, and minerals 

like iron, copper, calcium, and phosphorous. This is can be used in 

the preparation of sweets. 

At planting of sugarcane farm yard manure and tank silt are added 

in bulk to the field. Sugarcane is organically grown using high 

tonnage of compost and vermi-compost. 

Of late organic farmers have deduced an organic formulation 

termed as “Jeevamrutha”, which is prepared by mixing 10 kg of 

cow dung, 10 litre of cow urine, 2 kg of jaggery and 1 kg of castor 

seeds which is all mixed in water and allowed to ferment for 8 

days. After fermentation this formulation is allowed to mix with 

irrigation water and fed to sugarcane crop. 

1

Cow urine 1 litre is mixed with 10 litres of water and sprayed on 

the sugarcane crop once in a month to take care of insect pests. 

To control the diseases take 500 gm of garlic, and 3 kg of pungent 

green chillies, ground them to a paste, mix with 2 to 3 litres of 

kerosene and sprayed over sugarcane crop. 

To prevent lodging and allow diffusion of sunlight and air, the 

sugarcane leaves are tied up by taking 8 to 10 canes together. It 

also helps to prevent free dwelling place for rodents, wild boars and 

foxes. 

Common salt 1 kg in 1000 litre of water is sprayed on the 

sugarcane crop thrice during the crop period which is believed to 

enhance sweetness in the sugarcane juice. 

****** 

2

4. PEST MANAGEMENT 

The outbreak of pests or so-called harmful insects and diseases is 

now a very serious problem in agricultural practice. Though farmers 

have been using chemical pesticides to control them, the problems 

have not been solved, or rather the situation has been getting 

worse in a vicious cycle. 

Agricultural research has been emphasizing how to control the pest 

problem when it appears, not understanding the root causes of the 

problem, No problem can be solved without considering the root 

causes. It is man’s lack of understanding of the fact that in a 

healthy environment, plants grow well, and pests do not attack 

plants easily. Even if pests do attack, damage is minimal. 

We need to break out of the vicious cycle of pest problems and 

discover a permanent solution. 

4.1 Nature of Pest Problems 

Man thinks that pests (insects and diseases which attack crops) are 

absolutely harmful. From the perspective of man’s benefit, it seems 

to be right. However, from an ecological point of view, it is 

completely wrong. Everything in an ecosystem interacts and all 

elements are necessary to keep ecological balance in the nature.

The harmful insects are, in ecological terms, consumers of the first 

order. The role of the insects in the food chain, is not harmful, but 

rather important and is indispensable. If there are no insects, 

consumers of the second order cannot survive, and the food chain 

will be disturbed. 

In a well-balanced ecosystem, the number of the insects are kept 

within certain limits, which are not harmful to plants. But when 

disturbances come from outside, the insects may break out 

suddenly and become harmful to plants (crops). If we observe this 

fact carefully we can realise that the problem is not the insects, but 

the cause of the imbalance in the ecosystem, which allows the 

insects to increase. 

The insects should be seen as teachers who tell us that we have 

done something wrong to the ecosystem. Therefore, before 

deciding that the insects are bad and should be removed, we must 

discover why the insects have broken out. 

The same thing can be said about plant diseases. Plant diseases 

occur as a result of outbreak of specific micro-organisms or socalled 

disease germs (e.g. some kinds of nematode, fungi, virus, 

etc.). These disease germs are usually limited in number, so they 

are not harmful to plants. But when the soil ecosystem is disturbed 

and conditions are created in which disease germs can easily break 

out, then plant diseases occur. The problem is not the existence of 

the disease germs in the soil but the disturbing factors, which

create the imbalanced soil ecosystem. Therefore, it is very 

important for disease prevention to remove the disturbing factors 

(e.g. continuous cropping, use of agricultural chemicals, etc.) and 

create a balanced soil ecosystem. 

4.2 The Vicious Cycle of Chemical Pest Control 

The present chemical agricultural practice utilizes chemical pest 

control. The practice involves the following: 

1. Use of chemical poisons which are harmful to all living things 

2. Dealing with immediate problems (Symptomatic cure only) 

3. No consideration of the root causes. 

Insects 

A quick generation cycle and the production of a huge number of 

eggs at once is the characteristic of insects. This very characteristic 

enables the insects to develop resistance to the chemical insecticide 

quickly. So farmers are forced to use more pesticide or other 

stronger pesticides to control the insects. But again, the new insect 

generations become resistant to the pesticide. A second factor is 

the disappearance of natural enemies (e.g. spiders, frogs, birds, 

etc.), which eat the insects. The natural enemies are fewer in 

number and have a slower generation cycle and therefore are less 

productive than the insects. They cannot develop the same 

resistance against chemical pesticide and consequently are killed 

and disappear. The result is the creation of an imbalanced

ecosystem in which only the insects can break out. Few examples 

of such pests affecting our gardens are listed below: 

4.3 SOME COMMON GARDEN PESTS 

Name Of Pest 

Description / Manifestation 

Aphids 

Chapter 4 

Pic - 01 

APHIDS: sucking insects attacking 

the leaves and stems. When 

attacked. The leaves and stems of 

the plants begin to look pale and 

spindly. Aphids can change color to 

match plant parts and 

metamorphose from nymphs to 

adult, both with and without wings. 

When the aphids in one plant get 

overcrowded, they develop wings 

and fly to another plant host of the 

same plant family. Aphids mature in 

12 days.

Chapter4 

Pic -02 

Borers 

BORERS: Boring insects attack the 

flowers, pods, stems and roots. 

Borers hatch, eat and grow inside 

plant part as caterpillars. The 

sudden wilting of plant tops 

indicates the presence of borers. 

Chapter 4 

Pic 03 

Bugs 

BUGS: Sucking insects that attach 

to plant parts and drain plant 

juices. In case of mealy bug, eggs 

are laid in white, cottony masses. 

Young are crawlers like scale 

insects. Bugs excrete large 

amounts of honeydew that attract 

ants and encourage black mold 

fungus.

Chapter 4 

Pic 04 

BEETLES: Chewing insects, which 

feed on, leaves, flowers, stems and 

even roots. They feed on most 

vegetables. Severe infestation can 

defoliate plant. 

Beetles 

Chapter 4 

Pic 05 

Caterpillars / Worms 

CATERPILLARS/WORMS: - 

Chewing insects usually develop 

from patches of eggs on the 

underside of leaves. The larval 

stage of moths and butterflies. 

Caterpillars feed on foliage and 

tender stems. 

Chapter 4 

Pic 06 

Flies 

FLIES: Feed on foliage of many 

plants. Grasshoppers are most 

often found in late summer when 

fields next to gardens become dry. 

In severe infestations, large plants 

may be defoliated. The tender bark 

may be stripped from trees and 

shrubs.

Chapter 4 

Pic 07 

Hoppers / Katydid 

HOPPERS/KATYDID: Feed on 

foliage of many plants. 

Grasshoppers are most often found 

in late summer when fields next to 

gardens become dry. In severe 

infestations. Large plants may be 

defoliated. The tender bark may be 

stripped from trees and shrubs. 

Chapter 4 

Pic 08 

Scale Insects 

SCALE INSECTS: Small insects, 

covered by protective shells, that 

attach themselves to stems and 

undersurfaces of leaves and suck 

out plant juice. Generally, they are 

able to move about in younger 

stages, but become stationary or 

nearly so in adulthood. 

Chapter 4 

Pic 09a & 09b 

Snails 

Slugs 

SLUGS AND SNAILS: - Slimy trails 

and tattered foliage indicate snail 

and slug invasion. In daytime, they 

can be found under rocks leaves, 

densely foliaged plats, boards or 

any object that rests on the ground. 

At night, they can be found busily 

feeding on plant parts.

This vicious cycle caused by the use of chemical pesticide not only 

makes the pest problem worse but also creates health hazards. The 

farmers who use the chemical pesticide (poison) are affected first, 

and those who eat the poisoned products are affected 

consequently. 

Diseases 

Diseases follow more or less the same pattern. Diseases will never 

be controlled by chemical pesticides (fungicide, etc.) Use of 

agricultural chemicals to control diseases causes the same vicious 

cycle in the following ways: 

1. Specific micro-organisms (the disease germs), which cause 

plant disease, are very flexible in changing their character to 

adjust to the change of circumstance. They can easily grow 

resistant to the pesticide. 

There are also certain micro-organisms terms as “Nematodes” 

which suck the sap from the root zones and cause deleterious effect 

on the crop yield.

ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES: 

Microscopic worms that either stick 

their heads on a plant to suck the 

sap or actually spend their lives 

inside the plant. They attack roots 

Chapter 4 

Pic 10 

Root-knot Nematodes 

of various plants and form galls or 

root knots. Infested plants wilt or 

die due to the inability of the 

damaged root systems to supply 

enough water to their tops. 

2. The pesticide also kills beneficial microorganisms, which 

control the disease germs. An imbalance in microorganisms 

occurs. 

3. The resurgence of new and resistant diseases creates a 

further imbalance of micro-organisms. 

Though chemical pest control temporarily demonstrates quick 

action, it cannot solve the problem permanently. The only 

permanent solution is pest management, which considers the root 

causes and deals with the problems based on the rules of nature. 

4.4 Natural Pest Management 

The basic guiding principle of natural pest management is that 

there is no such thing as a pest problem. If the ecological balance 

in the agricultural land is not disturbed then the appearance of the

pest is not a problem but a symptom. If the symptoms appear, we 

should try to find out the causes (disturbing factors) and remove 

them in order to recover the ecological balance. Only this approach 

can avoid the same mistake the next time. There are two 

measures, preventive and control. The most emphases should be 

put on preventive measures; however, control measures may be 

necessary in the initial stages of ecological agricultural practice. If 

proper preventive measures are taken, control measures will not be 

necessary. 

4.5 Preventive Measures 

Preventive measures have indirect effects and are a long-term 

process. That is why farmers are not very interested in using these 

methods. From the ecological point of view it is the only way to 

permanent solution of pest problems. Therefore, much emphasis 

(more than 90%) should be put on preventive measures. 

Create a Balanced Agro – Ecosystem 

It is diversity, which has the most important role in building up 

ecological balance in agricultural land. The elimination of disturbing 

factors is also very important. Methods include:- 

1. Diverse cropping (Section 6.3) 

2. Mixed cropping, including insect repelling herbs and 

medicinal plants (Section 6.5) 

3. Planting perennial trees and grasses (Section 5.5) 

4. No use of agricultural chemicals (Section 5.1)

Create a Balanced Soil Ecosystem 

A balanced soil ecosystem (balance in micro-organisms) is the key 

element in the health of plants. Almost all plant diseases come 

from this imbalance which is mainly created by lack of organic 

matter, continuous cropping and use of agricultural chemicals 

which kill micro-organisms. Methods to maintain this balance 

include: 

1. Crop Rotation. 

2. Regular supply of organic matter 

3. Avoid mixing raw organic matter with soil 

4. Non-use of agricultural chemicals 

Others 

1. Good seed selection (no disease contamination, etc.) 

2. Planting at appropriate time 

3. Appropriate spacing etc. 

Actually, the cause of pest outbreak is not simple but very diverse 

and complicated . If we face a pest outbreak, we should reconsider 

the methods we are using for growing our crops and find out what 

is wrong. The insects and diseases are the indicators and not the 

problem.

Control Measures 

Despite preventive measures, some pest problems may occur in 

the early stages of ecological agricultural practice because the 

health of the soil is not fully recovered from the ill effects of 

chemical agricultural practice and the ecosystem is not yet 

balanced. In this case, it may be necessary to undertake control 

measures to protect the crops. 

Physical Control 

This method is very simple and easy, and effective in the early 

stages of insect outbreak. 

1. Hand picking –remove/ catch the insects by hand or net. 

2. Light trap-put a light above the water of a bucket; insects 

come and fall into the water. 

3. Stick setting –becomes a place for birds that eat the insects. 

4. Scare crow –something which scares birds that eat grain 

5. Net cover to protect crops (e.g. cabbage) from insect attack. 

Natural Pesticide 

There are many natural things, which repel or kill insects. Common 

natural pesticides are: Ash (Powder), Neem leaves and seeds, 

Tobacco leaves, Jute seeds (Powder), Chillies, Hydro Piper 

(Bishkathali), locally adapted plant leaves, e.g., Adathoda (the 

leaves that are not eaten by the goats) etc.,

A way of using the plant leaves is to soak them in water overnight 

and take extracts, which can be used as a natural pesticide. 

4.6 Alternative Pest Management Methods 

This is an approach that utilizes different techniques other than the 

use of chemical pesticides to control pests. It involves natural pest 

population- control methods, including cultural and biological 

controls and the use of botanical pesticides as needed. 

4.7 Cultural Method of Pest Control 

These methods are aimed either at reducing the sources of 

inoculums or at reducing the exposure of plants to infection. Its 

primary objective is the prevention of pest damage and not the 

destruction of an existing and damaging pest population. 

a. Good Soil Preparation: This is the first important element 

in pest control strategy. A healthy soil means healthy plants 

which are relatively more resistant to pests. A soil rich in 

humus hosts a wide variety of beneficial microflora that traps 

nematodes and destroy or keep in dormancy disease 

organisms. Thereby encouraging beneficial insects. 

b. Use Of Indigenous Varieties:-Traditional varieties are 

hardier and relatively more resistant to pests. They can 

withstand harsh environmental conditions better than 

modern hybrids.

c. Pest Control Through The Use Of Mesh Screen (Nylon 

Nets): Younger plants are usually preferred by insects and 

they suffer significantly from such attacks when compared to 

older plants. Therefore, a single netting over the plants 

during the first 30- 45 days of their growth can reduce pest 

damage. Also, the net helps diffuse sunlight thereby 

improving the quality of some vegetables. Finally, the net 

breaks the impact of raindrops thus: 

• Reducing physical damage to the plant and 

• Reducing a soil erosion from the beds. 

d. Roughing Or Pruning: Removal of diseased plants or plant 

parts prevents the spread of microorganisms to uninfected 

areas. 

e. Intercropping With Aromatic Herbs: Several types of 

odorous plants can be grown together with the main crop to 

repel insects. The following are some examples: 

a. Allium cepa (Onion) 

b. Allium odorum (leck) 

c. Allium Sativum (garlic) 

d. Artemisia vulgaris 

(madwort, worm wood) 

e. Hyptis suave lens (bushtea) 

f. Menthe cord folia (mint) 

g. Ocinum basilicum 

(sweet basil) 

h. Ocimum sanctum 

(sacred basil) 

i. Tagetes spp.(marigold).

f. Encouraging Insect Predators: Pests can be controlled by 

their natural enemies. By growing a variety of flowering 

plants, specifically those belonging to Umbelliferae family, 

such as fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and celery (Apium 

graveolens), insect predators will be attracted insects feed 

on pests, keeping the pest population below economic injury 

level. 

g. Multiple Cropping: This provides genetic diversity to 

minimize pest increase. Variation in susceptibility among 

species or varieties to a particular disease is great. Given 

abundant hosts of a single species or variety, a pest could 

easily be spread from host to host. When the number of 

hosts declines, the pest incidence will also decrease for lack 

of necessary food for the organism. 

h. Crop Rotation: This is a practice of following a crop 

susceptible to a pest by a resistant crop. There is no build-up 

of the organism to a high level since the growth cycle of the 

organism has been broken. 

4.8 Biological Pest Control (Friendly Insects) 

Biological pest control is the suppression of pest populations by 

living organisms such as predators. Parasites and pathogens.

Theses agents are responsible for keeping pests under control most 

of the time. 

Predators are usually other insects and spiders. Both, but 

particularly spiders, feed on a wide range of insects. 

Various kinds of birds, lady bird beetles, snakes, wasps, spiders, 

dragonflies, frogs, crabs, field lizards, chameleons, crickets etc 

protect crops from pests by praying on unfriendly pests / 

eggs/larvae etc. 

Name Of Pest 

Description / Manifestation 

Dragon 

Fly 

Praying 

Mantis 

PRAYING MANTIS, DRAGON 

FLY, DAMSELFLY, ASSASSIN 

BUGS: - Feed on all types of 

insects.

LACEWINGS, White- banded 

clerid, Robber flies: - Feed on 

aphids and soft-bodied insects. 

Lacewings 

GROUND BEETLES, whirligig 

beetles, rove beetles, Tiger 

beetles, Green carbide beetles: - 

Feed on other insects. 

Ground Beetles 

LADYBIRD BEETLES: - Feed 

on scalars and aphids only. 

They eat 40-50 insects per day. 

Their larva eats even more.

Snakes 

Toads 

TOADS & SNAKES & Spiders 

eat insects and other garden 

pests. Toads eat as many as 

10,000 insects and other pests 

in three months, including 

cutworms, slugs, crickets, ants, 

caterpillars and squash bugs. 

Birds 

BIRDS: - Some birds are 

omnivorous. Some examples 

from the Temperate zone 

provides a good illustration of 

what birds eat. A house wren 

feeds 500 spiders and 

caterpillars to her young in one 

afternoon; a brown trasher 

consumes 6,000 insects a day; a 

chickadee eats 138,000canker 

worm eggs in 25 days; and, a 

pair of flickers eats 5,000 ants 

as snack.

Parasitic Insects: These are usually small flies or wasps, which 

attack one or a few closely, related pest species. They are parasitic 

in their larval stages but free-living as adults. 

Tachinid Flies, Braconid Wasps: Complete their life cycle on 

insect pests. They usually attack the egg of the host pest or the 

caterpillar by laying an egg into its body. The wasp larva hatches 

inside the caterpillar body and feeds on it. 

Trichogramma Spp: Attacks eggs of butterflies and moth. This 

wasp 

produces very few side effects on beneficial insects. 

Epidinocarsis Lopezi: Feeds and reproduces on mealy bugs of 

cassava. It has the ability to establish itself in cassava fields 

Encouraging Predators 

In nature, pests are usually controlled by the pressure of insect 

predators and parasites which keep the populations of the harmful 

insects under control. Most of the insects in nature are either 

beneficial or at least harmless. There are many ways to encourage 

insect predators in one’s garden. 

1. Create A Suitable Habitat For Insect Predators: Flowering 

shrubs and trees throughout the garden will attract many beneficial 

insects, including parasitic wasps which require pollen and nectar 

for their growth and maturity. Plants belonging to Umbelliferae

family are particularly effective in attracting natural enemies of 

pests. 

2. Provide Alternate Hosts For Pests: To ensure availability of 

food for the beneficial organisms, grow alternate host plants along 

fence lines and in between cultivated crops. The natural enemy 

populations on these alternate host plants will control pests 

attacking the cultivated crop. 

3. Create Nesting Sites For Frogs, Reptiles And Birds: Logs of 

dead trees, irregularly shaped rocks with crevices and cavities and 

plenty of mulch can be a good nesting sites for snakes, lizards, 

frogs, rove beetles and carabid beetles, which feed on insects. 

4. Increase Humidity By Providing Water Holes: Humidity is 

much needed for the survival of natural enemies. It serves as a 

source of drinking water for reptiles, birds and frogs. Many 

predatory insects live in, on and near water. Well-vegetated small 

dams, little water pools and swales scattered throughout the 

garden will create conditions for the build-up of natural enemies. 

5. Practice Mixed Cultivation: Growing mixed crops and 

harvesting them in strips help maintain natural enemies and 

confuses pests. For fungal pathogens, the practice of mixed 

cropping is desirable as the root exudates of another crop can be 

toxic to the pathogen. Mixed cropping also encourages soil 

microbes which in turn, act as barriers to the fungal pathogen.

6. Reduce Dust Build Up In Crop Plants: Dust inhibits the 

functioning of natural enemies. Growing well-designed windbreaks 

and ground cover crops like centrosema and lablab bean will reduce 

dust. Use of overhead sprinklers will also help periodically in 

washing off the dust. 

7. Avoid Spraying Chemical Pesticides: Chemical pesticides 

eliminate beneficial insects. If pest infestation reaches economic 

threshold levels and spraying cannot be avoided, use selective 

chemicals, such as: 

a. Soil incorporated granular systemic insecticides for 

sucking insects; 

b. Stomach poisons; avoid broad-spectrum contact 

poisons; and, 

c. Insecticides with short-term residual action rather than 

persistent action. 

****

5. BOTANICAL ALTERNATIVES 

IN PLANT PROTECTION 

Nature has provided a pest control system, which needs to be 

preserved. Diversity has an important role in building and 

maintaining an ecological balance. Some of the NPM practices that 

are based on observing and creating diversity are mixed or multi 

cropping techniques which include insect repelling plants, perennial 

trees and grasses; and preparation of bio-pesticides from different 

plant materials such as Milea azadrichta, Vitex negundo, calotropis 

gigantean, Pongamea glabra etc. 

5.1 Methods of Preparation 

Method – 1 

Ingredients: 

• Pods of Datura [Datura sirumarium] 1 kg 

• Seeds of Arali [Nerium oleander] 1 kg 

• Tobacco waste 1 kg 

• Lime [diluted calcium Carbonate] 250 g 

• Cow Urine 5 lit 

• Mud pot (10 ltr capacity) 1 No. 

Preparation Method: 

The pods of Datura to be finely powdered; the seeds of Arali 

pounded well. The Tobacco waste and lime to be added to the 

above mixture, add 5 lit of cow urine and put all in a mud pot. 

The mud pot is covered with a lid and buried inside the manure 

pit / soil for 7 days.

Then the above mixture is filtered and diluted at the rate 1:10 

Ltrs of water and sprayed for the control of all pests. 

Method – 2 

Ingredients: 

• Rhizomes of (Gloriosa superba ) 1 kg 

• Pods of Datura 1 kg 

• Leaves of Ekka (Calotropis gigantea) 1 kg 

• Leaves of Adathoda (Adathoda vasica) 1 kg 

• Tobacco waste 500 g 



Preparation method: 

The Rhizomes of Gloriosa superba to be finely chopped. The 

pods of Datura, the leaves of Ekka and the leaves of Adathoda 

to be nicely grounded and add the Tobacco waste to the above 

mixers. Add 5 lit of cow urine and transfer into a mud pot. 

The mud pot is covered with a lid and burried inside the manure 

pit / soil for 7 days. 


lit of water and sprayed for the control of all pests. 

Method – 3 

Ingredients: 

• Leaves of Odukkam plant 

1 kg 

(Cleistanthus collinus) 

• Pods of Datura 1 kg 

• Iiuppai cake (Madhuca long ifolia) 1 kg 

• Seeds of Arali (Nerium oleander) 1 kg 


• Lime (Diluted calcium carbonate) 250 g 


• Mud pot (10 ltr capacity) 1 No.


The leaves of Odukkam plant, finely chopped the pods of 

Datura, and the seeds of Arali crushed; add Liuppai cake, 

tobacco waste and lime into a mud pot and add 5 lit of cow 

urine. 




Ltrs of water and sprayed for the control of all pests. 

Method – 4 

Ingredients 

• Ipomoea leaves 1 kg 

• Neem seeds 1 kg 


• Lime [Diluted Calcium carbonate] 250 g 




Ipomea leaves chopped and neem seeds crushed. Add tobacco 

and lime to the above mixture and add 5 lit of cow urine into the 

mud pot. 



Then the above mixture is filtered and diluted at the rate of 

1:10 litres of water and sprayed for the control of all pests. 

Method – 5 

Ingredients: 

• Etty Fruit (Stychnos nuxvomica) 2 kg

• Custard Apple (Annona Squmosa) 1 kg 

• Green chilies 250 g 

• Neem Seeds 1 kg 




The etty fruit chopped and neem seeds crushed. Add tobacco 

and lime to the above mixture and add 5 ltrs of cow urine into 

the mud pot. 




lit of water and sprayed for the control of all pests. 

Method – 6 

Ingredients: 

• Garlic cloves 250g 

• Samanthi (Sevanthi) leaves 

(Chrysanthemum coronerium) 2 kg 

• Black pepper 100g 

• Tulasi leaves (Ocimum tinctorium) 1 kg 

• Cow urine 5 lit 


The garlic gloves and Chrysanthemum leaves chopped. Add 

black pepper crushed and tulasi leaves chopped to the above 

mixture and add 5 lit of cow urine into the mud pot. 


pit / soil for 7 days.


lit of water and sprayed for the control of all pests in vegetable 

crops. 

Method – 7 

Ingredients: 

• Ipomoea cornea leaves 10 kg 

• Cow milk 1 lit 



Leaves of Ipomoea is pounded well and soaked in cow urine. 

Boil it for 30 minutes 

Add cow milk. 

Dilute with water in the ratio 1:10 and spray for control of 

bacterial diseases. 

Method – 8 

Ingredients: 

• Prosopis spp. 15 kg 

• Cow dung 10 kg 


• Water 60 lit 

Preparation Method: 

Prosopis spp. pounded well and soaked in cow urine. To this add 

cow dung slurry. This mixture is left standing for 24 hours, then 

filtered, diluted with water and sprayed. It controls Tungro virus 

disease in Rice. 

Botanical Multipurpose Insect Sprays 

Onion Brew

This brew should contain roots, stems and leaves of as many 

aromatic herbs as possible; onion, garlic, horseradish, red pepper, 

mustard mints chop them and add a quarter or more of water and 

some liquid detergent. Pour a generous amount of the mixture over 

plants infested with insects. If the brew ferments, it is more 

effective in repelling insects. 

Garlic and Marigold Mixture 

Take 3-4 cloves of garlic, 2 handfuls of marigold leaves, 2-3 onions, 

2-3 small peppers. Add water and bring mixture to a boil. Let cool. 

Dilute with 4-5 times quantity of water. Stir constantly. Spray as 

needed. Best used in 1-2 days. 

Tabacco Leaves and Aromatic Herbs 

Grind together tobacco leaves, hot peppers, garlic, onions and 

mint. The juice is mixed with an equal quantity of water and poured 

over or sprayed on infested plants. 

Aromatic Herbs and Soap 

Chop or grind one garlic one onion, one-tablespoon of hot pepper 

and mix with one-quart water. Let it stay for one hour; then add 

one-tablespoon of liquid soap detergent. Place the mixture in a 

tightly covered jar and store in a cool place for one week. This 

spray makes use of the repellant qualities of garlic, onion and hot 

pepper. The soap serves as sticker. 

Soap and water spray

Mix 3 tablespoons of soap flakes and a gallon of water. Spray 

against insects. 

Wood ash 

Root maggots in radish, onions, cabbage and other brassicas can 

be controlled by spreading fresh (not hot) wood ash around the 

plant roots. Ashes are then covered lightly with soil. Snails, slugs 

and cutworms can be controlled by encircling plants with 3-4 inch – 

wide trench 1-2 inches deep. Fill this trench with fresh wood ash. 

Pests will avoid crossing this trench. 

Flea beetles on tomatoes can be controlled by spraying a mixture of 

wood ash and water. 

Cucumber beetles can like wise be controlled by spraying a mixture 

of equal quantities of wood ash and powered lime mixed with soapy 

water.

5.2 Common Herbs Employed In Pest Control 

1. Garlic (Allium sativum): Chop the cloves finely, soak in 2 

teaspoons of oil for one 

day, then mix with half 

a lit of soapy water and 

filter. Mix 1 part 

solution with 20 parts 

water, then spray 

The target pests are 

Altenaria, Cercospora, 

Colletotrichum, 

Curvularia, Diplodia, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Pestalotia. 

The diseases controlled are fruit rot, early blight, purple 

blotch, leaf spot, frog eye leaf spot, anthracnose, smudge, leaf 

blight , fruit and stem rot, damping – off , stem and root rot , 

wilt, curly top. 

2. Acapulco (Cassia 

alata): Extract the juice 

of Cassia alata leaves and 

spray at the rate of 1 cup 

juice / lit of water. 


Alternaria, Cercospora,

Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, 

Pestalotia. 

The diseases controlled are, fruit rot, early blight, purple 

blotch, and leaf spot, frog – eye leaf spot, anthracnose, 

smudge, fruit and stem rot, and damping – off, stem and root 

rot, wilt, curly top. 

3. Amaranth (Amaranthus gracilis): Extract the juice from 1 

kg of Amaranth leaves, 

then mix juice with 3 litres 

of water, and spray. 



Colletotrichum, Curvularia, 

Helminthosporium, 

Pestalotia. 

The diseases controlled are, fruit rot, early blight, purple 

blotch, leaf spot, leaf mould, frog – eye leaf spot, anthracnose, 

smudge, leaf blight

4. Red onion (Allium 

cepa): Chop Allium 

cepa bulb finely, soak in 

two teaspoons of oil for 

a day. Then mix with 

half a lit of soapy water 

and filter. Mix one part 

solution with 20 parts 

water, and spray. 

The target pests are: Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, 

Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Pestalotia. 

The diseases controlled are: Leaf mold, leaf spot, early blight, 

frog-eye leaf spot, anthracnose, fruit rot, smudge, fruit and 

stem rot, damping – off, root rot, early blight, wilt, curly top 

5. Drumstick (Moringa 

oleifera): Extract the juice of 1 

kg leaves of drum stick, then 

mix juice with 3 litres of water, 

and use as spray. 

The target pests are: 

Alternaria, Colletotrichum, 

Diplodia, Pestalona.

The diseases controlled are fruit rot, early blight, purple 

blotch, leaf spot, anthracnose, fruit rot, smudge, fruit and 

stem rot. 

6. Kamantigi (Impatiens 

balsamina): Extract the 

juice (1 Kg of Impatiens 

balsamina) leaves, then 

mix the juice with 3 litres 

of water, and use as 

spray. 



Helminhosporium. 

The diseases controlled 

are: Fruit rot, early blight, purple blotch, leaf spot leaf mould, 

early blight, and frog- eye leaf blight. 

7. Apiaceae (Centella asiatica L.): Extract the juice from 1 Kg 

of Centella asiatica with 3 litres of water, and use as spray. 

The target pests are: Fusarium, Helminthosporium. 

The diseases controlled are: Damping off, stem and root rot, 

early blight, wilt, curly top, leaf blight.

8. Wild castor (Jatropha multifida): Extract the juice of 1 Kg 

of Jatropha leaves, mix the juice with 3 lit of water, and use as 

spray. 

The target pests are: Diplodia and Fusarium. 

The diseases controlled are: Fruit and stem rot, damping off, 

stem and root rot, early blight. Wilt and curly top. 

9. Papaya (Carica papaya): Pound and soak leaves of papaya 

in water and use 

infusion as spray. 


Cercospora and 

Diplodia. 


are: Leaf mold, leaf 

spot, early blight, frogeye 

leaf spot, fruit and 

stem rot.

10. Touch me not (Mimosa pudica): Pound, soak the whole 

plant in water overnight 

and use infusion as 

spray. 


Diplodia and Pestalotia. 


are: Fruit and stem rot, 

leaf spot. 

11. Damong Maria (Artemisia 

vulgaris): Extract the juice of 

Artemisia vulgaris leaves and use as 

spray at the rate of 2 to 5 table 

spoons juice per lit of water. 

The target pest is: Altenaria. 

The diseases controlled are: Fruit 

rot, early blight, purple blotch, and 

leaf spot.

12. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Extract the 500 gm Ginger 

rhizome juice, add one lit of 

cow urine and 10 litres of 

water mix well and use as 

spray. 

The target pest is: Cerospora 

The diseases controlled are: 

Leaf mold, leaf spot, early 

blight, frog-eye leaf spot. 

13. Gliricidia sepium: Extract the juice of Gliricidia sepium from 

1 kg leaves, and then mix 

juice with 3 litres of water, 

and use as spray. Fresh 

stems with leaves can be 

placed between plants to 

deter insects. 


Cercospora and insects 

The diseases controlled are: Leaf mold, leaf spot, early 

blight, frog-eye leaf spot.

14. Verbenaceae (Vitex negundo): Extract juice of 1 kg of Vitex 

negundo leaves, then mix juice with 3 litres of water, and use 

as spray. 

The target pest is: 

Cercospora. 


are: Leaf mold, leaf spot, 

early blight, frog-eye leaf 

spot. 

15. Asteraceae (Artemisia vulgaris): Pound the Artemisia 

vulgaris leaves and extract juice and spray at the rate of 2 to 

4 table spoons in 16 litres of water. 

The target pest is: Corn borer 

16. Lantana (Lantana 

camara): Pound the 

flowers and spread 

around stored grains. 

The target pest is: 

Corn weevil. 

Cut the branches 

sundry and burn. 

Apply the ashes to the 

leaves to control various beetles and leaf miners.

17. Marigold (Tagetes erecta): Extract the juice from marigold 

roots and spray at 

the rate of 2 to 4 

tablespoons juice 

per litre of water. 

The target pests 

are: Aphids and 

borers 

18. French Marigold (Tagetes patula): Pound the roots of 

Tagetes patula, extract juice of 1 kg roots and mix with 1 litre 

water. Then spray the solution directly into the soil. 

The target pests are: Green aphid, grain borer. 

19. Black Pepper (Piper 

nigrum): Pulverize seeds 

of Piper nigrum with water 

and spray; powder and 

spread around stored 

grains. 


Cotton stainer, diamond 

back moth, common

cutworms and weevils. 

20. Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescence): Pound the fruits of 

Capsicum frutescence, and 

extract juice and spray at the 

rate of 2 to 3 cups of juice 

with one litre of water. 

The target pest is: Rice moth. 

21. Custard Apple (Annona 

squamosa): Powder 1 kg custard 

apple seeds and disperse in 3 litre 

of water for seven days, then 

strain and use as spray. 

The target pests are: Rice pests. 

The diseases controlled are: 

Aphids, ants and other insects. 

22. Neem (Azadirachta 

indica): Remove the neem 

seeds husks of 2 to 3 

handfuls of mature seeds. 

Winnow or put in water to 

float away the husks. 

Grind seeds into fine 

particles. Soak Ground

seeds in 3 to 5 litres of water for at least 24 hours. Filter the 

solution, then use as spray. 

The target pests are: Rice pests, diamond-back moth. 

Botanical Formulations: 

Chrysanthemum: 

Grind the dried flowers. Mix with fine clay loam and water spray 

against a wide range of insects. 

Six to seven tablespoons of dried and ground flower for one gallon 

of water. 

Nicotiana tabaccum commonly known as Tobacco 

Boil the midribs and stem in water for a few minutes or soak for 3- 

4 days. Let it cool. This is an effective spray against numerous 

insect pests. 

Acorus calamus L.Araceae, commonly known as Sweet Flag 

Powder the roots and add water. Use as an insecticide spray. 

Decoction of rhizome can also be used as a spray. 

Mint, Coriander and other aromatic herbs

Plant these crops all around the 

garden plot. Their strong odour 

repels insects. They can also be 

used as spices and medicines. 

For every 100sq. meter bed, 

plant 8-10 marigolds in the 

Chapter 5.2 

Pic 19 

border and intercrop20-25 garlic or onion bulbs. 

Tomato 

Boil the stems and leaves of 

tomato in water. Cool it. Spray 

against caterpillars and black or 

green flies. This will also serve to 

deter future attack. 

Artemisia vulgaris L. Asteraceae 

Cut the branches, dry and then burn near or below the plants. This 

will drive away insects.

Melia azaderach L. Meliaceae, commonly known as Persian 

Lilac 

Another popular 

south Asian tree 

whose leaves can 

be made into a 

decoction, sieved 

&then sprayed. 

NOTE: 

To get effective herbal extracts, crush the leaves or 

seeds, soak in water overnight and extract the juice for 

good results.

5.3 Termites Control 

1. Termites destroy the seedlings in nursery raised in dry-land 

conditions. To control these, neem leaves, sheep wool and 

human hairs are put; termites feeding on these materials will 

die due to rupture in their intestines. 

2. Growing castor on the fields will control termites to some 

extent. 

3. Putting neem cake inside a gunny bag and placing it in the 

irrigation channel controls termites. 

4. Plant ‘Piradai’ (Cissus quadrangularis) vines around the field 

to protect against termites. 

5. Before planting tree seedlings, dried leaves and trashes are 

burnt in the pits to protect the root zone of crops from 

termites. 

6. Dusting wood ash in the pits before planting tree seedlings 

also helps to prevent termites. 

7. Sprinkle 5% common salt solution to reduce termite attack 

on the trees.

8. After the harvest of tobacco leaves their stems and roots are 

ploughed in situ to control the termites. 

9. Tobacco soaked water is poured on the ant mounds to 

control them 

5.4 Rodent Control 

1. Rats do not live in fields where sheep penning is being 

practiced (Stray cattle menace also can be checked by sheep 

penning as cattle do not feed on / graze the lands after 

sheep penning, as the sheep urine drives them away from 

grazing). 

2. Putting fresh cow dung on both the fields and bunds reduces 

rat problem. 

3. Put the branches of Thangarali (Tecoma stands) around the 

fields to control rats. 

4. To control rats in paddy fields Channampoo (Cycas 

cercinalis) flowers are cut into pieces and placed in many 

places whose bad odour drives away the rats. 

5. Planting closely Nochi (Vitex negundo) and Calotropis 

gigantean around the fields as a fence helps to control rat 

problem.

6. Pieces of Palmura (Borassus flabellifer) leaves are tied on the 

poles fixed on the field, the sound produced by the leaves 

scares away the rats (also for birds scaring). 

7. To reduce the population, rat holes are disturbed and rats 

are held at each harvest. 

8. Providing owl stands near the rat holes will help in reducing 

the rat damage. 

9. To catch the rats a trap made up of wire loops on bamboo 

pegs is used. 

10. Big round shaped earthen pots are buried on the field at 

ground level. Half of the pot is filled with mud slurry on 

which baiting material is put on a coconut shell. Attracted 

rats fall inside the pot and they cannot climb up and get 

killed. 

11. Use of soaked rice as bait attracts more rats. 

12. Smoking of rat burrows with paddy husk and dry chillies: 

Pungent smoke generated by paddy husk and chilies cause 

suffocation and kills rats. It is cost effective and eco-friendly 

measure for rat control. 

*****

6. LIQUID MANNURES & PESTICIDES 

Panchagavya is a combination of 5 products obtained from the cow 

which is used in traditional medicine extensively. These are cow 

dung, cow’s urine, cow’s milk, curd and ghee. This is also 

mentioned in Vrkshayurveda texts and it has been experimented by 

various organic farmers. It has a significant role in providing 

resistance to pests and disease and increasing the overall yield. 

a. Panchagavya as a Liquid Mannure: 

Ingredients: 

• Cow dung - 5 kilo 

• Water - 5 litres 

• Cow milk - 2 litres 

• Curd - 2 litres 

• Clarified butter/ Ghee - 1 litre 

• Sugarcane juice - 2 litres 

(In place of sugarcane juice use 500gms of honey or 1 kg of 

jaggery or Palm sugar) 

Mix these ingredients in a mud pot and stir them well. Allow this 

mixture under shade for fermentation for about 3 weeks. Then take 

out 2 litres of Panchagavya and dilute it with 100 litres of water 

and spray the crops by using a power sprayer in 1 acre plot. The 

above mixture is sufficient for spraying 4 acres at the rate of 2 

rounds per crop. The diluted mixture has to be stirred thoroughly

for 20 minutes before spraying. This can be stored for another 1 

month. It induces growth and enhances quick flowering. It gives 

resistance against pests and diseases. 

First spray at 25 days after transplanting paddy and second spray 2 

weeks after 1 st spray. It has advanced paddy harvest by 10 days. 

Similarly spraying 2 rounds of Panchagavya once before the flower 

initiation and another during pod/fruit setting phase resulting in 

quick flowering and thereby the productivity. In Jasmine it ensures 

continuous flowering; and in Moringa tree with synchronized early 

flowering, it doubled the yield of Moringa Pods. It can be used for 

groundnut turmeric and many other crops. Seed materials can be 

dipped for few minutes and wet their root zone before planting.

. Panchagavya as a Pesticide: 

Ingredients: 

• Cow dung mixed with water - 500 ml 

• Cow’s urine - 300 ml 

• Cow’s milk - 200 ml 

• Curd - 200 ml 

• Ghee - 100 ml 

• Yellow plantain - 2 nos. 

• Coconut water - 300 ml 

TOTAL 

- 1500 ml 

Preparation: 

All the products mentioned above should be put in a mud pot, 

mixed and kept open for 10 days. It should be mixed every day. It 

is ready for use in 10 days time.

JEEVAJALA – A Growth Regulator 

Ingredients: 

• Goat’s meat - 1 kg 

• Sesame - ¼ kg 

• Blackgram - ¼ kg 

• Cow’s milk - 1 litre 

• Mud pot (5 litres capacity) - 1 No. 

The goat’s meat should be washed properly and put in 5 liters of 

water and boiled till it reduces to half the quantity. After this the 

flesh should be removed and the extract alone should be filtered. 

Black gram and sesame should be properly powdered. The mixture 

of these powders should be mixed with the meat extract after it is 

cooled. After mixing this it should again be boiled. After boiling the 

mixture is cooled and then milk should be added. The mixture must 

be poured into the mud pot, and the mouth of the mud pot should 

be tied with a cloth. The pot should be buried under the ground or 

inside the compost pit. The extract should be mixed well atleast 

once a day. 

After 10 days of the fermentation, the extract should be removed, 

properly filtered and stored in a pot.

This filtered extract can be applied near the roots or used as a 

spray. For application near the root zone, 3 litres of growth 

regulator is required. This should be applied near the irrigation 

channel so as to mix with the water. 

500ml of extract should be mixed with 10 litres of water for use as 

a foliar spray. This is sprayed twice during the vegetative stage. By 

using this there is an increase in the number of grains per earhead 

and also a general increase in the yield. The weight of the grains 

also increases. 

After irrigating the field in which the seedlings are transplanted, the 

growth regulator can also be applied using a band sprayer on the 

surface of the water. 

****

7. SEED STORAGE 

Importance of Storage 

The Cereals, pulses, oilseeds etc. are very important products for 

storage. A safe storage place must be provided for the grain 

produced until it is needed for consumption and multiplication 

purposes. Since grain production is seasonal, and consumption is 

continuous, safe storage must maintain grain quality and quantity. 

This means that grains have to be protected from weather, molds 

and other microorganisms, moisture, destructively huge 

temperatures, insects, rodents, birds, objectionable odours and 

contamination, and from unauthorized distribution. 

Kinds of Storage Facilities: 

1. On The Ground: Grain is piled on the ground unprotected only 

between harvest and the availability of transport equipment 

with which it can be moved to a safer place. Losses are small for 

short periods because a smooth–surface pile of grain sheds rain 

down its slopes quite well, permitting it to penetrate only an 

inch or two. But with time, depressions develop in the surface, 

allowing rain to soak downward and destroy columns of grain. 

The floor of the pile absorbs moisture from the ground, and 

surface water creeps under the edges of the pile. The grain is 

exposed to rodents, birds, insects and wind so that losses 

become severe within a few weeks. 

1

Before the grain is 

threshed, the harvested 

crop is stacked near the 

threshing yard in such a 

way that any down pour 

of rain does not get an 

entry into the stacking, 

but runs down the stack 

by virtue of the slope provided without affecting the quality of 

grains. By this method the raw grain also attains good shape 

and shining colour that would be appealing to the user. 

Many a times the 

farmers erect a 

storage bin made of 

paddy straw by 

twisting a bundle of 

the straw to a rope 

like structure and then 

laying it in circular 

fashion to get a bin 

like structure. Paddy 

grains after they are fairly dried are put into this structure again 

covered with paddy straw tightly in the shape of a cone, so that 

the grains are well stored inside the structure. Before putting 

2

the grains, the ground surface also is well covered with the 

paddy straw. 

Temporary crib for field storage: This structure of sticks and 

heavy twine is used for crops like corn and rough rice. The 

shifting agriculture practiced in this tropical lowland often results 

in fields being far from the farmstead. The corn will be 

transferred as needed to the house. This large box has been 

used for many years for storing beans and threshed corn. It is 

elevated on stones to facilitate inspection for signs of rodent 

activity. 

2. Temporary Corn Storage: 

Field storage of corn is 

accomplished on platforms. 

The stack of un-pealed ears is 

covered by a cap of partially 

woven grasses. 

3. Underground: Underground storage was probably the principal 

method used to accumulate surpluses in primitive societies, and 

it can still be found in our time. Its advantages are the grain’s 

protection from seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations, 

inhibition of insects and molds by a tendency towards low 

oxygen and high carbon dioxide contents in the inter seed air, 

3

and simple construction methods. Its principal drawback is the 

high cost of grain handling. 

4. Bagged: Bags of grain may be piled under any convenient 

shelter away from weather and predators. 

5. Farm Bins: Farm storage space is needed for three reasons; to 

hold the crop immediately after harvest, until it can be moved to 

better storage space or to market. Grain stored in bins 

maintains quality better in smaller than in larger lots. Farm 

storage tends to maintain the original condition of grain better 

than elevator storage, provided grain is not exposed to any 

moisture increase or to rodents birds or insects. The farmers 

have developed the oriental bins by using burnt clay which are 

in use by the farm families from time immemorial. 

Seed Storage 

Only well-dried seeds should be stored. Seeds with moisture in 

them become damp, moldy and vulnerable to insect attacks. For 

drying, lay the seeds under the sun on a mat and spread them 

thinly. Mix and turn the seeds 4 to 5 times in a day. Repeat the 

process for about 2 to 3 days. On a hot sunny day, the seeds 

spread on a mat in the morning should be heaped for some time 

and again spread frequently to avoid sun-burn and damage of the 

embryo. 

4

After drying the seeds well, 

them to remove all stones, 

malformed, 

broken, 

undersized and diseased 

seeds, weed seeds, other crop 

seeds, chaff and other 

rubbish. These seeds must 

now be stored properly. To 

store seeds use containers 

that are airtight and moistureproof. 

Earthen pots of burnt 

clay are used for the storage 

in traditional agricultural practices. 

clean 

Storing seeds in a cool dry 

environment keeps them 

viable for longer. Seeds have 

a tendency to absorb 

moisture. To maintain 

dryness, the storage 

containers could be filled to 

a quarter capacity with 

either dry wood ash or dry 

charcoal. If the seeds are to 

be put directly into the 

earthen pot then cover the dry ash with a layer. In case the 

5

container is opened frequently, change the wood ash or charcoal 

every time it is opened. 

The viability and quality of seeds depend on how well they are 

protected from insects and pests. There are simple ways of 

protecting seeds from insects. Farmers have been using various 

indigenous methods of seed storage for ages. Generally the seeds 

to be stored are smeared with neem / castor oil which checks the 

pest attack. 

Grains are usually stored in clay vessels or gunnysacks. These 

containers are coated with a paste of neem leaf or dry Neem cake 

powder. The floor and room in which the seeds are stored is 

plastered with cow dung to keep pests away. These are just a few 

very commonly used traditional seed storage practices 

6

Storage Structures 

1. Pits storage: Pits are usually excavated to be wide at the bottom 

and taper to a small opening at the top; more hygroscopic than 

the grain, tends to hold soil moisture away from grain mass. 

2. Stone, brick, or mud 

warehouses have long 

been used for grain 

storage. The floor of the 

structure is generally 

covered with cow dung 

paste to avoid insect 

pests by its repellent 

action. 

3. For storing major 

grains like cereals and 

pulses, mud and brick 

structures with double 

door system are 

constructed, one door 

being smaller than the 

other. The bigger door is 

seldom opened unless 

the entire quantity of 

stored grains are to be 

7

shifted to market and the like. Small door is provided in such a 

way that only one man can enter the storage, take out the 

required quantity and close the same immediately without 

giving room for the larger quantity being affected by external 

factors. 

4. Corn ears tied and 

hanged on sticks or 

ropes: Unhusked corn 

ears are hung with the 

tip downward to prevent 

moisture entry, a 

technique that is used 

almost throughout the 

world. 

5. Mud jar for threshed 

cereals and pulses: This 

un-burnt mud vessel 

placed over stones 

contains threshed grains. 

The decorative design 

varies by zones within the 

country. 

8

6. Vegetable Seed Storage 

Method: The vegetable seeds 

are normally stored by women 

folk for their kitchen garden 

requirements by securing the 

seeds of different vegetables into 

knots tied around them in a white 

cloth. While doing so the seeds 

are mixed with woodash / dried 

neem leaf powder. After this 

these are conveniently put into 

Bottleguard, sprinkled woodash on the top and closed the mouth 

of the bottleguard. 

Safe Grain Storage Methods for Wheat, Pulses and 

Oilseeds 

a. After harvesting of Rabi crops like wheat, pulses and oilseeds, 

they are cleaned and put in an open place for sun drying. After 

drying, seed grains are packed in jute bags. A store room of 

20’x15’ size is used for keeping 50 to 80 qtls of seed. Spread 

wheat husk on the floor upto 1-2 feet, after which all bags are 

kept at a distance of one foot away from all the walls of the 

room. After one layer, spread again wheat husk of 6” layer, 

followed by wheat bags as done earlier. This process is repeated 

to accommodate maximum produce till the room is filled, after 

9

which the room is closed. The door has to be opened only when 

needed, which helps to protect the seed/grain from insect pests 

and moisture. 

b. Use of garlic for safe 

storage on cereals and 

pulses: Take a container of 

one qtl. storage capacity. At 

the bottom of the container, 

about 200 gm of matured 

garlic are kept and then 

about 20 Kg of wheat 

poured into the container. 

Again a second layer of 200 gm of garlic and 20 kg of cereals 

poured into the container. It is repeated like this till the 

container is filled. This practice is also followed for safe storage 

of rice. But in case of rice, use turmeric instead of garlic. Ensure 

that the container is closed tightly. This is a low cost technology 

and can be easily practiced. 

Chapter 7 

Pic 11 

c. The leaves, kernels and oil of neem (Azadirachta indica) have 

been found to be very effective against a wide variety of storage 

pests. Neem leaves are dried in shade and powdered. This 

powder is added to the bags or containers in which the grain is 

stored. Using neem oil is more efficient as the seeds have the 

maximum concentration of the active ingredients (azadiragtim, 

salanin and malandriol). The quantity of oil depends on the 

quantity of seeds used. Quantity of Neem oil should be one 

10

percent by weight of seed. Grain stored for seed purpose can be 

treated with two percent by weight of seed (storing grains). 

d. For safe storage of bean seeds, to one kilogram of bean seed 

add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Mix the oil with 250 gms of 

seed and put it into a clean container. Add the remaining seeds 

and mix till all the seeds are coated with oil. When coated well 

with oil the seeds appear shiny. Generally this method is used 

for vegetable seeds. 

e. Bamboo grain 

storage structure 

plastered with cow 

dung slurry 

covered with a 

layer of paddy 

straw and a layer 

of dried leaves of 

‘neem’ at the 

bottom to store 

paddy, reduces storage insect pests of paddy and prolongs 

storage life. Cow dung slurry acts as disinfectant while neem 

acts as an insect repellent. 

11

The bamboo baskets are also used 

for storing jaggery. The inside 

surface is coated with woodash and 

red soil. However, the outer surface 

can be conveniently coated with cow 

dung and red earth slurry with little 

neem oil to drive away the insect 

pests. 

f. Using bamboo bins for storage: Paint the bamboo bins with the 

solution prepared from neem cake. To the dry neem cake 

powder water is added and a thick paste of this is painted all 

over the grain bin. If one wishes to store it for more than 4 

months, the process should be repeated every 4 months. 

g. Treatment of gunny bags for storing grains: Prepare a 10% 

neem kernel solution. Once the solution is made, dip the gunny 

bag into this solution for 15 minutes. Dry the gunny bags under 

shade and this can be used for storing grains. The stored grain 

pests will be repelled by the action of neem. In case the gunny 

bags are new, they should be soaked for half an hour. For 

gunny bags with close meshes and small pores, thinner solution 

can be used. Make sure that the gunny bags are impregnated 

on all sides with this extract. If the seeds or grains are kept 

inside the house or in the godowns, there is no fluctuation in 

temperature and not much sunlight. As a result of this, longer, 

residual action of the neem product is obtained and the 

12

epellent effect persists for 4 months. In store rooms, along with 

the cow dung that is used for cleaning the mud floor, neem cake 

or neem oil can be used straight away (in the same 

concentration as used for spraying purposes). The same could 

also be used for the mud walls. Neem cake solution or neem 

kernel extract could also be sprayed. 

**** 

13

8. LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT 

In India Agriculture means for the sustenance of the family and the 

local community together with the services of blacksmith, 

carpenter, washerman , tailor, cobbler, and livestock etc. 

Man’s agricultural life is incomplete without the role of domestic 

animals like cows and buffaloes, bullocks, sheep and goat, poultry, 

ducks and other birds, asses, horses¸ camels, etc., swine, rabbits 

and the like to fulfill his everyday needs like: 

• Milk and milk products 

• Protein-full foods from animals 

• Very good manure to grow his crops 

• Draught power for his agricultural activities 

• Many utilitarian products like, blankets (kumbals-made of sheep 

wool) and several other items made from the skins of dead 

animals. 

In the rural agriculture, the most commonly employed farm power 

apart from manual labour, invariably comes from Cattle which 

distinctly stand out from other farm animals. Efficient use of these 

animals in turn depends on their feeding, maintenance of their 

health and fitness and training them to adopt to different kinds of 

work has a definite say in successful agriculture. 

1

Similar explanation hold good for milch animals and the animals 

that would provide us various other protein-full foods, which calls 

for appropriate management of these livestock to get the best out 

of them in different utilitarian directions. Ergo, it calls for a very 

good management efficiency on the part of the farmers in order to 

achieve the desired goal. 

In this perspective, the Indian farmers over time, out of his fruitful 

journey along with his animals to establish a meaningful 

relationship with them in their efficient management, has come out 

with various indigenous findings which are really amazing and 

makes even a sophisticated modern technician raise his eyebrows 

on getting to know his unparallel efficiency in managing his 

livestock. Listed hereunder are very few of them to which many 

more can be added by Farmer-Scientists in the field: 

It is strongly believed in Ancient Indian Agriculture that without 

“Gomuthram” (Cow urine), agriculture has no meaning at all. It 

is not a blind faith, but Indian farmer’s well-knit experience that the 

depleted soil due to continuous cropping for his livelihood gets 

replenished by addition of cattle urine and dung in the proper 

manner. 

2

1. Feeding green bamboo leaves for release of placenta 

In course of giving birth to a calf, sometimes, a cow does not 

release placenta immediately. It causes many complications. 

Feeding 4-5 Kg of green leaves of bamboo in its raw form to the 

cow, it is found that placenta comes out just after half an hour of 

bamboo feeding. 

Chapter 8 

Pic 01 

2. Control of intestinal worms in calves 

Dried ginger 50 gm and tender leaves of guava (Psodium guajava) 

500gm, are to be macerated together and made into balls and 

administered to 5 or 6 calves at a time. This will be very effective 

3

for yellow colour diarrhea in the young calves caused due to 

intestinal worms. This can be repeated depending upon the severity 

of disease. 

3. Tick/ Mites control in Cows: 

One kg of Albizia leaves (Albizia amara) and half-kilo neem leaves 

(Azadirachta indica) leaves are to be grinded well. It should be 

mixed with 2 kg of tank silt or soil from ant hills and made into a 

slurry after pouring with adequate quantity of water. This slurry has 

to be smeared all over the body of the animal. Then the animal can 

4

e allowed to stand in sunlight for few hours, followed by bathing 

the animal. This practice has to be repeated once after a week. This 

will increase the lustre of skin, and driving away the sucking pets 

from its body. 

5

4. Refusal to feed / Fever / Giddiness / Cough In Cattle: 

Take an earthen part and fill with Charcoal fuel upto its quarter 

portion. To this add a few barks of matured neem tree, seed husks 

of neem (10 gm), and tender leaves at 25 gm each of Pongamia, 

Cardiospermum and Leucas aspera. To facilitate fumigation apply a 

pinch of Sambrani (Incense powder). The animal is made to inhale 

these fumes till sweating is noticed in its nostril region. During this 

treatment the animal has to be fed with 250 gm of coriander leaves 

and 500 gm of rhizomes of radish twice a day. 

6

5. Preventive herbal healing against Foot and Mouth 

disease: 

a. Daily cleaning of foot and mouth portions of the animal with 

hot water (boiled with a pinch of common salt and bark of 

neem tree). 

b. Administer leaf juice extract of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) for 

oral intake. About ½ kg of tulsi leaves residue may be used 

for smearing the foot and mouth portions of the cattle. This 

quantity is sufficient for 4 animals. This should be done once 

daily for a period of 3 days continuously. 

7

6. Mastitis in cattle: 

Handful of Henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis) and Albizia (Albizia 

amare) are grinded well and boiled. To this add lemon juice from 

one fruit; with a pinch of powdered camphor. Apply this over the 

udder and teats for 3 days. 

As a preventive measure, 100-200 ml of lime water are to be 

administrated twice a week. Limewater can be prepared by putting 

2 kg of lime stones (Calcium carbonate) in 5 liters of water. The 

supernatent layer of water at 100 to 200 ml has to be (free from 

sedimentation) mixed with drinking water and fed to the animal. 

7. Infertility in Milch Animals: 

a) Administer two succulent leaves of Aloe vera in empty 

stomach orally for the first three days. Subsequently feed 

with one kg of sprouted Bajra (Pennisetum americanum) 

grains, which has to continued for six days. On the seventh 

day the cow exhibits the symptoms of heat. Before taking 

the animal for natural crossing, administer 200 ml of neem 

oil orally. 

8

) The same result can be 

expected by feeding the 

animal with 5 kg of brinjal 

with 1 kg of curry leaves. 

8. Urinary blockage 

When animals suffer from kidney stones, it causes acute pain and 

inflammation of the urinary tract. This leads to blockage of the 

urinary passage. By feeding fruits of bitter apple (Citrullus 

colocynthis) along with regular feed for three days. This has to be 

administered twice a day (morning and evening), which clears the 

blockage. 

9. Stomach Ache In Animals 

If an animal suffers from stomach ache or gastric trouble or refuses 

to feed, then administer with 50 to 100 g of Asafoetida plus 250g of 

garlic and 100g of charcoal ground to a paste with water. This 

treatment relieves the animal from constipation. 

***** 

9

9. BIRDS SCARERS IN THE FIELDS 

Brinjal Garden 

Rice Field

Vegetable Garden

NAMES OF FOODSTUFFS IN INDIAN LANGUAGES 

CEREAL GRAINS AND PRODUCTS 

1. Pearl Millet: Pennisetum typhoides 

Bajra (Bengali, Hindi, Oriya), Bajri (Gujarati, Marathi), Sajje (Kannada), 

Bajr’u (Kashmiri), Cambu (Malayalam, Tamil), Sazzalu (Telugu). Other 

names: Spiked millet, Pearl millet 

2. Italian millet: Setaria italica 

Syama dhan (Bengali), Ral Kang (Gujarati), Kangni (Hindi), Thene 

(Kannada), Shol (Kashmiri), Thina (Malayalam), Rala (Marathi), Kaon 

(Punjabi), Thenai (Tamil), Korralu (Telugu), Other names: Foxtail 

millet, Moha millet, Kakan kora 

3. Sorghum: Sorghum bicolor 

Juar (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi), Jola (Kannada), Cholam (Malayalam, 

Tamil), Jwari (Marathi), Janha (Oriya), Jonnalu (Telugu), Other 

names: Milo, Chari 

4. Maize: Zea mays 

Bhutta (Bengali), Makai (Gujarati), Maka (Hindi, Marathi, Oriya), 

Musikinu jola (Kannada), Makaa’y (Kashmiri), Cholam (Malayalam), 

Makka Cholam (Tamil), Mokka jonnalu (Telugu) 

5. Finger Millet: Eleusine coracana 

Madua (Bengali, Hindi), Bhav (Gujarati), Ragi (Kannada) , Moothari 

(Malayalam), Nachni (Marathi), Mandia (Oriya), Kezhvaragu (Tamil), 

Ragulu (Telugu), Other names: Korakan 

6. Rice, parboiled: Oryza sativa 

Siddha chowl (Bengali) Ukadello chokha (Gujarati), Usna 

chawal (Hindi), Kusubalakki (Kannada), Puzhungal ari 

(Malayalam), Ukadla tandool (Marathi), Usuna chaula (Oriya), 

Puzhungal arisi (Tamil), Uppudu biyyam (Telugu)

7. Rice raw: Orya sativa 

Chowl (Bengali), Chokha (Gujarati), Chawal (Hindi), Akki 

(Kannada), Tomul (Kashmiri), Ari (Malayalam), Tandool (Marathi), 

Chaula (Oriya), Arisi (Tamil), Biyyam (Telugu). 

8. Rice bran: Oryza sativa 

Goora (Bengali), Thavudu (Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu), Konda 

(Marathi) 

9. Rice flakes: Oryza sativa 

Chira (Bengali), Pohe (Gujarati, Marathi), Chewra (Hindi), Avalakki 

(Kannada), Aval (Malayalam, Tamil), Chuda (Oriya), Atukulu (Telugu) 

10. Rice, puffed: Oryza sativa 

Mudi (Bengali), Murmura (Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi), Pori (Kannada, 

Malayalam, Tamil), Mudhi (Oriya), Murmuralu (Telugu) 

11. Samai: Panicum miliare 

Kangni (Bengali), Mutki (Hindi), Samai (Kannada, Tamil), Ganuhaar 

(Kashmiri), Chama (Malayalam), Sava (Marathi), Suan (Oriya), Other 

names: Goudli, Gondola 

12. Wheat: Triticum aestivum 

Gom (Bengali), Ghau (Gujarati), Gehun (Hindi), Godhi (Kannada), 

Ku’nu’kh (Kashmiri), Gothmbu (Malayalam), Gahu (Marathi), 

Gahama (Oriya), Kamak (Punjabi), Godumai (Tamil), Godhumalu 

(Telugu) 

13. Wheat flour, whole: Triticum aestivum 

Atta (Bengali, Hindi, Oriya), Ato (Gujarati), Godhi hittu (Kannada), 

Gothambu mavu (Malayalam), Kaneek (Marathi), Godumai mavu 

(Tamil), Goduma pindi (Telugu)

14. Wheat flour, refined: Triticum aestivum 

Maida (Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya), Maida mavu 

(Malayalam, Tamil), Maida pindi (Telugu), Other names: American 

mavu 

PULSES AND LEGUMES 

15. Bengalgram - whole: Cicer arietinum 

Chola (Bengali), Chana (Gujarati, Hindi), Kadale (Kannada), Chanu 

(Kashmiri), Kadala (Malayalam), Harbara (Marathi), Buta (Oriya), 

Chole (Punjabi), Kothukadalai (Tamil), Sanagalu (Telugu), Other 

names: Chick pea, Garbanzo 

16. Bengalgram dhal: Cicer arietinum 

Cholar dal (Bengali), Chane-ki-dal (Hindi), Kadale bele (Kannada), 

Chola dal (Kashmiri), Kadla parippu (Malayalam), Harbara dal 

(Marathi), Kadalai parappu (Tamil), Samaga pappu (Telugu) 

17. Bengal gram - roasted: Cicer arietinum 

Chola bhaja (Bengali), Phutana (Gujarati, Marathi), Bhuna Chana 

(Hindi), Huri-kadale (Kannada), Varutha kadala (Malayalam), 

Bhajabuta (Oriya), Pottukadalai (Tamil), Putnalupappu (Telugu) 

18. Blackgram dhal: Phaseolus mungo Roxb 

Mashkalair dal (Bengali), Aalad (Gujarati), Urd dal (Hindi), Uddina 

bele (Kannada), Kaha (Kashmiri), Uzhunnu parippu (Malayalam), 

Uddachi dal (Marathi), Biri (Oriya), Mah-di-dal (Punjabi), 

Ulutham paruppu (Tamil), Minapa pappu (Telugu) 

19. Cowpea: Vigna catjang 

Barbati (Bengali), Lobia (Hindi), Alasande (Kannada), Payar 

(Malayalam), Chavli (Marathi), Chani (Oriya), Karamani (Tamil), 

Bobbarlu (Telugu)

20. Fieldbean: Dolichos lablab 

Sim (Bengali), Valpapdi (Gujarati, Marathi), Val (Hindi),Avare 

(Kannada), Moang (Kashmiri), Avara (Malayalam), Baragudi (Oriya), 

Mochai (Tamil), Chikkudu (Telugu), Other names: Kadumal, 

Hyacinth bean 

21. Greengram - Whole: Phaseolus aureus Roxb 

Mug (Bengali, Gujarati), Mung (Hindi, Marathi), Hesare kalu 

(Kannada), Muang (Kashmiri), Cheru Pararu (Malayalam), Muga 

(Oriya), Moongi (Punjabi), Pasipayir (Tamil), Pesalu (Telugu) 

22. Greengram dhal: Phaseolus aureus Rox 

Mug dal (Bengali, Marathi), Mung dal (Hindi, Marathi), Hesare kalu 

(Kannada), Kuang (Kashmiri), Cheru payaru (Malayalam), Muga 

(Oriya), Moongi (Punjabi), Pasipayir (Tamil), Pesalu (Telugu) 

23. Horsegram: Dolichos biflorus 

Kulthi-kalai (Bengali), Kuleeth (Gujarati, Marathi), Kulthi (Hindi), 

Hurule (Kannada), Muthira (Malayalam), Kolatha (Oriya), Kollu 

(Tamil), Ulavalu (Telugu) 

24. Lentil: Lens esculenta 

Masoor (Bengali), Masur dal (Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi), Masur bele 

(Kannada), Musur (Kashmiri), Masur parippu (Malayalam), Masura 

(Oriya), Mysore paruppu (Tamil), Misur pappu (Telugu) 

25. Peas: Pisum sativum 

Katar (Bengali, Hindi), Vatana (Gujarati, Marathi), Batani (Kannada, 

Telugu), Kara (Kashmiri), Pattani (Malayalam, Tamil), Matara (Oriya), 

Kabli chole (Punjabi) 

26. Redgram dhal: Cajanus cajan 

Arhar dal (Bengali, Hindi, Kashmiri), Tuver (Gujarati), Thugare bele 

(Kannada), Tuvara parippu (Malayalam), Tur dal (Marathi), Harada

(Oriya), Tuvaram paruppu (Tamil), Kandi pappu (Telugu), Other 

names: Pigeon pea 

27. Agathi: Sesbania grandiflora 

LEAFY VEGETABLES 

Bak (Bengali), Agathio (Gujarati), Agasti (Hindi, Marathi, Oriya), 

Agase (Kannada), Agathi (Malayalam, Tamil), Avise (Telugu), Other 

names: Basna 

28. Amaranth spined: Amaranthus spinosus 

Kanta-notya (Bengali), Kantalo dabho (Gujarati), Kantewali 

chaulai (Hindi), Mulla dantu (Kannada), Mullancheru-cheera 

(Malayalam), Kante-math (Marathi), Kanta nentia saga (Oriya), 

Mullu keerai (Tamil), Mullu thotakoora (Telugu), Other names: 

Gendari sag 

29. Amaranth, tender: Amaranthus gangeticus 

Notya (Bengali), Chaulai sag (Hindi), Dantu (Kannada), Cheera 

(Malayalam), Math (Marathi), Thandukeerai (Tamil), Thotakoora 

(Telugu), Other names: Gogta sag 

30. Ambat chukka: Rumex vesicarius 

Chuka palang (Bengali), Chuka (Hindi), O’bej (Kashmiri), Ambat 

chukka (Marathi), Chukka keerai (Tamil), Chukka koora (Telugu) 

Other names: Khatti palak 

31. Araikeerai: Amaranthus tristis 

Araikeerai (Tamil) 

32. Bottle gourd leaves: Lagenaria vulgari 

Lau sag (Bengali), Lauki-ka-sag (Hindi), Sorakay yele (Kannada), 

Cheranga ilagal (Malayalam), Ghia da sag (Punjabi), Surai ilaigal 

(Tamil), Anapa akulu (Telugu), Other names: Calabash cucumber 

leaves

33. Cabbage: Brassica oleracea var.capitata 

Bandha kopee (Bengali, Oriya), Kobi (Gujarati, Marathi), Band 

gobee (Hindi, Kashmiri), Kosu (Kannada), Mutta gose (Malayalam), 

Muttaikose (Tamil), Gos koora (Telugu), Other names: Pat gobee 

34. Cauliflower greens: Brassica oleracea var, botryt 

Phool-kopi sag (Bengali), Phool gobee sag (Hindi, Marathi), 

Hukosina yele (Kannada) 

35. Coriander leaves: Coriandrum sativum 

Dhane sag (Bengali), Kothmer (Gujarati), Hara dhania (Hindi), 

Kothambari Soppu (Kannada), Daaniwal (Kashmiri), Kothamalli 

(Malayalam, Tamil), Kothimbir (Marathi), Dhania (Oriya), Kothimiri 

(Telugu) 

36. Cowpea leaves: Vigna cathjang 

Payar ilagal (Malayalam), Chavli pan (Marathi), Other name: 

Rawandi sag 

37. Drumstick leaves: Moringa oleifera 

Sajna sag (Bengali, Oriya), Saragavo (Gujarati), Saijan Patta 

(Hindi), Nugge yele (Kannada), Muringa ela (Malayalam), Shevaga 

pan (Marathi), Murungai (Tamil), Mulaga akulu (Telugu), Other 

names: House radish leaves, Suha najna 

38. Fenugreek leaves: Trigonella foenumgraecum 

Methi sag (Bengali, Hindi, Oriya), Methi (Gujarati, Kashmiri, Marathi), 

Menthina soppu (Kannada), Uluva ila (Malayalam), Venthiya 

keerai (Tamil), Menthkoora (Telugu) 

39. Gogu: Hibiscus cannabinus 

Mestapat (Bengali), Ambadi (Gujarati, Marathi), Pitwa (Hindi), 

Pundi (Kannada), Nalite saga (Oriya), Pulichai keerai (Tamil), 

Gongura (Telugu)

40. Mustard Leaves: Brassica campestris var. sarason 

Sorisa sag (Bengali), Sarson-ka-sag (Hindi), Sasuve yele 

(Kannada), Kaduguila (Malayalam), Mohari-chi pan (Marathi), 

Sarson-da-sag (Panjabi), Kaduguilai (Tamil), Ava akulu (Telugu), 

Other Names: Sharisha 

41. Neem Leaves: Azadirachta inidca 

Neem pata (Bengali), Limdo limba (Gujarati), Neem-ke-patte 

(Hindi), Bevu (Kannada), Arya veppila (Malayalam), Kadulimb 

(Marathi), Nima patra (Oriya), Nim (Panjabi), Veppilai (Tamil), Vepa 

akulu (Telugu). 

42. Tamarind leaves: Tamarindus indicus 

43. Ash gourd: Benincasa hispida 

ROOTS AND TUBERS 

Chalkumra (Bengali), Petha (Hindi, Panjab), Budagumbala 

(Kannada), Mashaa’ly al (Kashmiri), Kumbalanga (Malayalam), 

Kohala (Marathi), Panikakharu (Oriya), Poosini kai (Tamil), 

Boodida gummadi (Telugu) 

44. Bitter gourd: Momordica charantia 

Karela (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Punjabi), Hagal kai 

(Kannada), Kaippakka (Malayalam), Karle (Marathi), Kalara (Oriya), 

Pavakkai (Tamil), Kakara kayi (Telugu) 

45. Bottle gourd: Lagenaria vulgaris 

Lau (Bengali, Oriya), Dudhi (Gujarati), Lowki (Hindi), Sorekai 

(Kannada), Zeeth (Kashmiri), Charanga (Malayalam), 

Pandharabhopla (Marathi), Ghia (Punjabi), Surai kai (Tamil), 

Anapakaya (Telugu) 

Other names: Calabash cucumber, Kaddu.

46. Brinjal: Solanum melongena 

Begun (Bengali), Ringna (Gujarati), Baingan (Hindi), Badane 

(Kannada), Waangum (Kashmiri), Vazhuthininga (Malayalam), 

Vange (Marathi), Baigan (Oriya), Bataun (Punjabi), Kathiri (Tamil), 

Vankaya (Telugu) 

Other name: Egg plant 

47. Broad beans: Vicia faba 

Makhan sim (Bengali), Fafda papdi (Gujarati), Bakla (Hindi), 

Chapparadavare (Kannada), Avarakka (Malayalam), Simba 

(Oriya), Avarai (Tamil), Pedda chikkudu (Telugu) 

48. Cho-cho-marrow: Sechium edule 

Seeme badane (Kannada), Phuti Kakudi (Oriya), Seemai 

Kathirikai (Tamil), Seema vankayi (Telugu) 

49. Cluster beans: Cyamopsis tetragonoloba 

Jhar sim (Bengali), Govar(Gujarati), Guar-ki-phalli (Hindi), Gori 

kayi (Kannada), Kothavara (Malayalam, Tamil), Govari (Marathi), 

Guanra chhuin (Oriya), Guara-di-phalli (Punjabi), Goruchikkudu 

(Telugu) 

50. Colocasia stem: Colocasia antiquorum 

Kochu danta (Bengali), Arwi-ki-dandi (Hindi), Kesu dantu 

(Kannada), Chembin thandu (Malayalam), Alu-che-deth (Marathi), 

Sarunada (Oriya), Seppanthandu (Tamil), Chama kadda (Telugu). 

51. Cucumber: Cucumis sativus 

Sasha (Bengali), Kakdi (Gujarati), Khira (Hindi), Souche kayi 

(Kannada), Laa’r (Kashmiri), Vellarikka (Malayalam), Kakadi 

(Marathi) Kakudi (Oriya), Tar (Punjabi), Kakkarikkari (Tamil), Dosa 

kayi (Telugu)

52. Drumstick: Moringa oleifera 

Sajna danta (Bengali), Saragavo (Gujarati), Sajjan-ki-phalli 

(Hindi), Nuggekayi (Kannada), 

Muringakkai (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Shevaga sheng (Marathi), Sajana chhuin (Oriya), Mulagu kada 

(Telugu). 

Other name: Horse radish 

53. Drumstick flowers: Moringa oleifera 

54. French beans: Phaseolus vulgaris 

Fansi (Gujarati), Bakla (Hindi), Huruli kayi (Kannada), Fraa’sh 

bean (Kashmiri), Pharas bee (Marathi), Fras bean (Punjabi) 

55. Jack, tender: Artocarpus heterophyllus 

Aanchar (Bengali), Kawla phanas (Gujarati), Kathal (Hindi), 

Halasu (Kannada), Idichakka (Malayalam), Phanas (Marathi), 

Panasa katha (Oriya), Pila pinju (Tamil), Panasa (Telugu) 

56. Ladies fingers: Abelmoschus esculentus 

Dherasa (Bengali), Bhunda (Gujarati), Bhindi (Hindi, Punjabi), 

Bende (Kannada), Bindu (Kashmiri), Vendakkai (Tamil, Malayalam), 

Bhendi (Marathi, Oriya), Benda kayi (Telugu), Other name: Okra 

57. Onion stalks: Allium cepa 

Piyaz kali (Bengali), Dunglinu dakkadi (Gujarati), Pyaz (Hindi), 

Eerulli soppu (Kannada), Ulli thandu (Malayalam), Pati (Marathi), 

Piaja sandha (Oriya), Vengaya thandu (Tamil), Ulli kadalu 

(Telugu) 

58. Papaya, green: Carica papaya 

Pempe (Kancha) (Bengali), Papayi (Gujarati), Papita (Hindi), 

Papaya (Marathi), Parangi (Kannada), Omakaya (Malayalam), 

Katcha pepita (Punjabi), Pappali kai (Tamil), Boppayi kayi 

(Telugu)

59. Plantain flower: Musa sapientum 

Mocha (Bengali), Kel phool (Gujarati, Marathi), Kele-ka-phool 

(Hindi), Bale motho (Kannada), Vazhapoo (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Kadali bhanda (Oriya), Kele-da-phool (Punjabi), Arati puvvu 

(Telugu) 

60. Plantain, green: Musa sapientum 

Kela (Kanch) (Bengali), Kela (Gujarati), Kela (hara) (Hindi, Punjabi), 

Bale kayi (Kannada), Vazhakkai (Malayalam, Tamil), Kele (Marathi), 

Bantala kadali (Oriya), Arati kayi (Telugu) 

61. Plantain stem: Musa sapientum 

Thor (Bengali), Kelanu thed (Gujarati), Kele-ka-tana (Hindi), 

Dindu (Kannada), Unnipindi (Malayalam), Kelicha khunt (Marathi), 

Kadali manja (Oriya), Vazhaithandu (Tamil), Arati doota (Telugu) 

62. Pumpkin: Cucurbita maxima 

Kumra (Bengali), Kohlu (Gujarati), Kaddu (Hindi), Kumbala 

(Kannada), Paa’rimal (Kashmiri), Mathan (Malayalam), Lal bhopla 

(Marathi), Kakharu (Oriya), Sitaphal (Punjabi), Purangikkai (Tamil), 

Gummadi kayi (Telugu) 

63. Ridge gourd: Luffa acutangula 

Jhinga (Bengali), Turia (Gujarati), Torai (Hindi), Heeraikai 

(Kannada), Turrel (Kashmiri), Peechinga (Malayalam), Dodka 

(Marathi), Janchi (Oriya), Kali tori (Punjabi), Pirkkankai (Tamil), 

Beera kayi (Telugu) 

NUTS & OILSEEDS 

64. Almond: Prunus amygdalus 

Badam (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Orissa, 

Panjabi, Tamil, Telugu)

65. Cashew Nut : Anacardium Occidentale 

Hijli badam (Bengali), Kaju (Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Marathi, Orissa), 

Kaju (Panjabi), Geru beeja (Kannada), Kasu andi (Malayalam), 

Lanka ambumanji (Orissa), Mundiri paruppu (Tamil), Jeedi 

pappu (Telugu) 

66. Coconut: Cocos nucifera 

Narkel (Bengali), Nariyal (Gujarati, Hindi), Thengini Kai (Kannada), 

Narjeel (Kashmiri), Thenga (Malayalam, Tamil), Naral (Marathi), 

Nadia (Oriya), Gola (Punjabi), Kobbari (Telugu). 

67. Gingelly seeds: Sesamum indicum 

Til (Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi), Taj (Gujarati), Acchsilu 

(Kannada), Ellu (Malayalam, Tamil,), Rasi (Oriya), Nuvvulu (Telugu) 

Other name: Sesame seeds 

68. Groundnut: Arachis hypogaea 

China badam (Bengali, Oriya), Bhoising (Gujarati), Moong phalli 

(Hindi, Kashmiri, Panjabi), Kadale kayi (Kannada), Nilakkadalai 

(Malayalam, Tamil), Bhui mug (Marathi), Verusanaga (Telugu). 

69. Mustard seeds: Brassica nigra 

Sorse (Bengali), Rai (Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi), Sasuve (Kannada), 

Aasur (Kashmiri), Kadugu (Malayalam, Tamil), Mohori (Marathi), 

Sorisa (Oriya), Avalu (Telugu) 

70. Sunflower seeds: Helianthus annuus 

Suraj mukhi (Bengali, Punjabi), Surya mukhi (Hindi, Marathi), Surya 

kanthi (Malayalam, Tamil), Podduthirugudu puvvu ginzalu 

(Telugu).

71. Asafoetida: Ferula foetida 

CONDIMENTS AND SPICES 

Hing (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi), Hingu (Kannada, 

Oriya), Yangu (Kashmiri), Perungayam (Malayalam, Tamil), Inguva 

(Telugu) 

72. Chilies: Capsicum annuum 

Lanka (Bengali, Orissa), marcha (Gujarati), Mirch (Hindi), Menasina 

kayi (Kannada), Marach wangun (Kashmirie), Mirchi (Marathi), 

Mulaku (Malayalam), Mirchan (Punjabi), Milagai (Tamil), Mirapa 

kayi (Telugu). 

73. Cloves: Syzygium aromaticum 

Labanga (Bengali, Orissa), Lavang (Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi), Lavanga 

(Kannada), Ruang (Kashmiri), Krambu (Malayalam, Tamil), Long 

(Panjabi), Lavangalu (Telugu). 

74. Coriander: Coriandrum sativum 

Dhaniya (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi Orissa, Panjabi), Kothambari 

(Kannada), Daaniwal (Kashmirie), Kothambalari (Malayalam), 

Dhane (Marathi), Kothamalli vidai (Tamil) Dhaniyalu (Telugu). 

75. Cumin seeds: Cuminum cyminum 

Jira (Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi), Jiru (Gujarati), Jeerage 

(Kannada), Zyur (Kashmiri), Jeerakam (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Jeelakarra (Telugu). 

76. Fenugreek seeds: Trigonella foenum – graecum 

Methi (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Oriya), Menthe (Kannada), 

Meeth (Kashmiri), Uluva (Malayalam), Meth (Punjabi), Venthayam 

(Tamil), Menthulu (Telugu)

77. Garlic: Allium sativum 

Rashun (Bengali), Lasan (Gujarati, Punjabi), Lehsan (Hindi), Bellulli 

(Kannada), Ruhan (Kashmiri), Vellulli (Malayalam, Telugu), Lasoon 

(Marathi), Rasuna (Oriya), Ullipoondu (Tamil) 

78. Ginger, fresh: Zinziber officinale 

Ada (Bengali, Oriya), Adu (Gujarati), Adrak (Hindi, Panjab), Shunti 

(Kannada), Inji (Malayalam, Tamil), Ale (Marathi), Allam (Telugu) 

79. Lime peel: Citrus medica var. acida 

Lebur Khosa (Bengali), Limbuni chal (Gujarati), Neebu ka chilka 

(Hindi), Nimbe sippai (Kannada), Cherunaranga tholu (Malayalam), 

Limbsal (Marathi), Lembri chopa (Oriya), Elumicham thol (Tamil), 

Nimma thokku (Telugu) 

80. Mace: Myristica fragrans 

Jayitri (Bengali, Oriya), Jaypatri (Gujarati, Marathi), Javithri (Hindi), 

Jalwatur (Kashmiri), Jathipatri (Malayalam, Tamil), Japathri (Telugu) 

81. Nutmeg: Myristica fragrans 

Jaiphal (Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya), Jaji kayi (Kannada, Telugu), 

Zaaphal (Kashmiri), Jathikkai (Malayalam, Tamil) 

82. Pepper: Piper nigrum 

Golmarich (Bengali, Oriya), Mari (Gujarati), Kalimirch (Hindi, 

Panjabi), Kari menasu (Kannada), Marutus (Kashimir), 

Kurumulaku (Malayalam), Mire (Marathi), Milagu (Tamil), Miriyalu 

(Telugu). 

83. Tamarind pulp: Tamarindus indica 

Tetul (Bengali), Amli (Gujarati), Imli (Hindi, Punjabi), Hunise hannu 

(Kannada), Tamber (Kashmiri), Puli (Malayalam, Tamil), Chinch 

(Marathi), Tentuli (Oriya) Chintha pandu (Telugu)

84. Turmeric: Curcuma domestica 

Holud (Bengali), Haldhar (Gujarati), Haldi (Hindi, Punjabi), Arashina 

(Kannada), Lader (Kashmiri), Manjal (Malayalam, Tamil), Halad 

(Marathi), Haladi (Oriya), Pasupu (Telugu) 

85. Amla: Emblica Officinalis 

FRUITS 

Amlaki (Bengali), Amla (Gujarati, Hindi), Nellikai (Kannada, 

Malayalam, Tamil), Anvla (Oriya), Usirikayi (Telugu) 

Other name: Indian gooseberry 

86. Apple: Malus sylvestris 

Safarjan (Gujarati), Sev (Hindi, Oriya), Sebu (Kannada), Tsoonth 

(Kashmiri), Safar Chad (Marathi). Other Name: Tarel. 

87. Bael fruit: Aegle marmelos 

Bel (Bengali, Hindi, Marathi), Bil (Gujarati), Bilwa pazham (Tamil), 

Maredu pandu (Telugu) 

88. Banana, ripe: Musa paradisiaca 

Kala (paka) (Bengali), Kela (Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri), Bale hannu 

(Kannada), Vazha pazham (Malayalam, Tamil), Kele (Marathi), 

Champa kadali (Oriya), Kella (Punjabi), Arati pandu (Telugu) 

89. Cashew fruit: Anacardium occidentale 

Hijli badam (Bengali), Kaju phal (Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi), 

Geru hannu (Kannada), Kasu manga (Malayalam), Lanka amba 

(Oriya), Mundiri pazham (Tamil), Jeedi pandu (Telugu) 

90. Figs: Ficus carica 

Dumoor (Bengali), Anjeer (Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Marathi, Punjabi), 

Anjura (Kannada), Atti pazham (Malayalam, Tamil), Dimiri (Oriya), 

Athi pallu (Telugu), Other name: Gullar

91. Grape: Vitis vinifera 

Angoor (Bengali, Hindi, Panjabi, Oriya), Draksha (Gujarati, Kannada, 

Marathi, Tamil, Telugu), Da’ch (Kashmiri), Mundiringa (Malayalam) 

92. Guava, Country: Psidium guajava 

Payra (deshi) (Bengali), FJam phal (Gujarati), Amrud (Hindi, Punjabi), 

Seebe (Kannada), Perakka (nattu) (Malayalam), Peru (Marathi), Pijuli 

(deshi) (Oriya), Koya pazham (Tamil), Jama pandu (Telugu) 

93. Jack fruit: Artocarpus heterorphyllus 

Kanthal (Bengali), Phanas (Gujarati, Marathi), Kathal (Hindi, Punjabi), 

Halasu (Kannada), Chakka (Malayalam), Panasa (Oriya, Telugu), 

Pala pazham (Tamil) 

94. Lemon: Citrus limon 

Pati lebu (Bengali), Motu limbu (Gujarati), Bara nimbu (Hindi), 

Nyomb (Kashmiri) 

95. Lime: Citrus aurantifolia 

Lebu (Bengali), Kadgi limbu (Gujarati), Neembu (Hindi), Nimbe 

(Kannada), Nyomb (Kashmiri), Cherunaranga (Malayalam), 

Musumbe (Marathi), Gangakulia lebu (Oriya), Nimbha (Punjabi), 

Elumichai (Tamil), Nimma pandu (Telugu) 

96. Lemon, Sweet : Citrus Limetta 

Mitha lebu (Bengali), Mitha limbui (Gujarati) , Mitha meebu 

(Hindi), Gaja nimbe (Kannada), Kolinchi Pazham (Tamill), Gaja 

nimma pandu (Telugu). 

97. Mango, ripe: Mangifera indica 

Aam (paka), (Bengali, Hindi), Keri (Gujarati), Mavina hannu 

(Kannada), Amb (Kashmiri, Panjabi), Mam pazham (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Amba (piklela), (Marathi), Amba (pachila) (Oriya), Mamidi pandu 

(Telugu).

98. Melon, water: Citrullus vulgaris 

Tarmuj (Bengali), Tarbuj (Gujarati, Hindi), Kallangadi (Kannada), 

He’nd wend (Kashmiri), Thannir mathan (Malayalam), Kalingad 

(Marathi), Tarvuja (Oriya), Tarbuja (Punjabi), Darbusini (Tamil), 

Puchakayi (Telugu) 

99. Neem fruit: Malia azadirachta 

Neem phal (Bengali), Veppam pazham (Malayalam, Tamil), Vapa 

pandu (Telugu) 

100. Orange: Citrus aurantium 

Kamala lebu (Bengali), Santra (Gujarati, Panjabi), Narangi (Hindi), 

Kithilai (Kannada), Sangtar (Kashmiri), Madhura naranga 

(Marathi), Kamala (Oriya), Kichili Pazham (Tamil), Kamala pandu 

(Telugu). 

101. Palmyra fruit: Borassus flabellifer 

Tal shash (Bengali), Tar (Gujarati), Tar (Hindi), Thati mangu 

(Kannada), Panam mungu (Malayalam), Shindi shirani (Marathi) 

Tala (Oriya), Panai mungu (Tamil), Thati Pandu (Telugu). 

102. Papaya, ripe: Carica papaya 

Pepe (Paka) (Bengali), Papaya (Gujarati), Papita (Hindi, Punjabi), 

Pharangi (Kannada), Omakai (Malayalam), Popai (Marathi), Amrut 

bhanda (pachila) (Oriya), Pappali (Tamil), Boppayi pandu (Telugu) 

103. Pine apple: Ananas comosus 

Anarash (Bengali), Ananas (Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, 

Panjabi), Kayitha chakka (Malayalam), Supuri Anasianas 

(Orrissa), Anasi pazham (Tamil), Anasa pandu (Telugu). 

104. Pomegranate: Punica granatum 

Dalim (Bengali), Dalamb (Gujarati), Anar (Hindi, Punjabi), Dalimbari 

(Kannada), Daa’n (Kashmiri), Mathalampazham (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Dalimb (Marathi), Dalimb (Oriya), Danimma pandu (Telugu)

105. Raisins: Vitis vinifera 

Kash (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi), Kishmish (Oriya, Panjabi, Telugu), 

Drakshi (Kannada), Mundiringa (unakku) (Malayalam), Manuka 

(Marathi), Drakshai (Tamil). 

106. Tomato, ripe: Lycopersicon esculentum 

Ruwangum (Kashmiri), Takkali pazham (Malayalam, Tamil), 

Tametokai (Telugu). 

107. Wood apple: Limonia acidissima 

Kathbel (Bengali), Kothu (Gujarati), Kaith (Hindi), Bele (Kannada), 

Vilampazham (Malayalam, Tamil), Kavath (Marathi), Kaitha (Oriya), 

Velega pandu (Telugu), Other name: Kapith 

108. Zizyphus: Zizyphus jujuba 

Bor (Gujarati, Marathi), Ber (Hindi), Yelachi (Kannada), Bre’y 

(Kashmiri), Elanthapazham (Malayalam, Tamil), Barakoli (Oriya), 

Regu pandu (Telugu), Other names: Jujube, Indian, plum 

109. Butter: 

FATS AND EDIBLE OILS 

Makhan (Bengali, Hindi, Panjabi), Benne (Kannada), Thany 

(Kashmiri), Venna (Malalayalam, Telugu), Loni (Marathi), Vennai 

(Tamil). 

110. Ghee: 

Ghee (Bengali, Hindi, Panjabi), Thuppa (Kannada), Ney (Malayalam, 

Tamil), Thup (Marathi), Neyyi (Telugu).

MISCELLANEOUS FOODS 

111. Amaranth Seeds Amaranthus sp 

Cheera vithu (Malayalam), Keerai vidai (Tamil), Thotakoora 

ginjalu (Telugu). 

112. Groundnut cake Arachis hypogaea 

Badamer khol (Bengali), Chinia badam-ka-khali (Hindi), Kadalai 

punnakku (Malayalam, Tamil), Pend (Marathi), Verusanaga pindi 

(Telugu). 

113. Honey 

Mou (Bengali), Shaid (Hindi), Jen thuppa (Kannada), Maanch 

(Kashmiri), Ten (Malayalam, Tamil), Madh (Marathi), Thene (Telugu). 

114. Jaggery 

Gud (Bengali, Hindi Panjabi), Gol (Gujarati), Bella (Kannada), Gor 

(Kashmiri), Vellam (Malayalam, Tamil), Gul (Marathi), Guda (Oriya), 

Bellum (Telugu). 

115. Mango seed kernel Mangifera indica 

Am-ka-guthli-ka-atta (Hindi), Manga andi parippu (Malayalam), 

Am-di-guttak (Punjabi), Mamidi jeedi (Telugu). 

116. Poppy Seeds: Papaver somniferum 

Posto (Bengali), Post dana (Hindi), Khaskhas (Marathi), 

Khasakhasa (Tamil), Gasagasalu (Telugu). 

117. Pumpkin Seeks: Cucurbita maxima 

118. Sago 

Kumdar dana (Bengali), Mathan vithugal (Malayalam), Sitaphaldi-bee 

(Panjabi), Gummadi ginjalu (Telugu). 

Saboo (Bengali), Sabu dana (Gujarati, Marathi), Sago (Hindi, 

Malayalam), Sabba akki (Kannada), Saboo dana (Kashmiri), Sagu 

dana (Oriya), Javvarisi (Tamil), Saggu biyyam (Telugu).

119. Sugarcane Juice 

Ikkhu raush (Bengali), Sherdina ras (Gujarati), Ganne-ka-ras 

(Hindi), Kabbina halu (Kannada), Karumbin neeru (Malayalam), 

Usacha rasa (Marathi), Akhju dorua (Oriya), Ganne-da-ras 

(Punjabi), Karuppan charu (Tamil), Cheraku rasam (Telugu). 

120. Tamarind seed kernel: Tamarindus indicus 

Imli-ka-biya-ka-gudda (Hindi), Pulin kuru (Malayalam), Puliyamn 

kottai (Tamil), Chinta ginjalu (Telugu). 

121. Toddy 

Tari (Bengali), Tarail (Hindi), Henda (Kannada), Kallu (Malayalam, 

Tamil, Telugu), Tadi (Marathi, Oriya). 

* * * * * *

Traditional Practices in Agriculture FULL - ANGOC Site

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