Detail:

Laljibhai Paghdar describes an innovative natural treatment for the control of a green larval pest in castor crops. The green larval pest appeared in Laljibhai Paghdars field 40 to 45 days after sowing his castor crop at the end of September. A voracious feeder, this larva eats away the entire green part of the leaf and later attacks the mid-ribs and tender inflorescence, as well. It also migrates to other crops. Earlier, Paghdar used chemical insecticides, but on coming into contact with Swadyay Parivar, a religious movement, he began to turn to organic practices. In order to rid his castor crops of the larval pest, Paghdar prepared a liquid from half a kilogram to one kilogram of bajra(Pearl millet) flour and 15 lit of water, in an airtight container. He stored the container inside a manure pit for 20 days and filtered the suspension through a cotton cloth and used this suspension as an insecticide. This suspension is sprayed on the crops after diluting 25 ml of filtrate in 12 to 15 lit of water. Two sprays, with a weeks interval between sprays, help in controlling the green larval pest in castor. Paghdar learned about this practice from a member of the Swadyay Parivar, who informed him that the Charaka Samhita was the source of the practice. According to the Editor, Honey Bee magazine, this is a traditional practice and is widely in use in other parts of Gujarat. Sometimes, farmers dust old flour of bajra on cumin crops to control the powdery mildew and other diseases. Usually, bajra flour becomes unfit for consumption after six to seven days, due to rancidity caused by fungal growth. Paghdar is an innovative farmer who has seven hectares of land, and keeps two bullocks, two cows and a buffalo. He regularly visits Vruksh Mandir, a site where prayers are held by the followers of Swadyay Parivar, and meets many farmers everyday. He is greatly interested in traditional practices of farming, which he believes are eco-friendly. In order to rid his castor crops of the larval pest, This container is stored inside a manure pit for 20 days.

Knowledge Provider / Innovator: Laljibhai Veljibhai Paghdar
Agro-Ecological Zone: Western Plain, Kachchh And Part Of Kathiawar Peninsula, Hot Arid Eco-Region (2.4)
Address: Nani Parbadi , Dhoraji
District: Ahmedabad
State: Gujarat
PIN Code 360001

Crop: Castor
Crop Family: Euphorbiaceae
Crop Scientific Name: (Ricinus communis)
Crop Vernacular Name: castor bean
Formulation: 25 ml of filtrate in 12 to 15 litres of water
Ingredients: Bajra (Pearl millet) flour, water, airtight container, manure pit, cotton cloth, sprayer

---

PAS 1:

https://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/3255/1/castor%20insect%20pests-crc%20press.pdf