Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana’s Farm Advisory Service Center, Sangrur, organized a farmers’ meeting on management of manganese deficiency in wheat at village Herike, Near Sherpur, Sangrur. In-charge of the center, Dr. Ashok Kumar Garg, District Extension Scientist (Soil Science), while giving information about the deficiency of manganese in wheat, said that this deficiency is generally seen more in sandy lands with paddy-wheat crop rotation. Its symptoms appear as light yellow-gray to pinkish-brown spots on the interveinal areas of the leaves. Severe deficiency causes the plants to completely dry out. He said that in manganese deficient soils where the soil test report shows the manganese content less than 3.5 kg per acre, one spray of 0.5% manganese sulfate (one kg manganese sulfate in 200 liters of water) should be applied 2-4 days before the first irrigation and 3 sprays should be applied at weekly intervals on sunny days thereafter. Sharing ideas on proper nutrient management in major Rabi crops, Dr. Garg also highlighted the recommended doses of urea, zinc and sulphur in wheat. Various queries raised by farmers such as management of zinc and sulfur deficiency in wheat, need for lime water, interpretation of soil test report, emphasis on not using nano urea, disadvantages of mixing fertilizers, etc. were answered. S. Ravinder Singh, progressive farmer of the village gave his full support in organizing the farmers’ meeting. On this occasion, manganese sulphate was also given as a demonstration to spray on wheat crop to farmers whose fields are deficient in manganese nutient. Finally, the team also visited wheat fields.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ
PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY