Abstract:
A study was conducted in July-August, 2014 in order to collect weeds and pest control related information and strategies required to increase the wheat yield in Khyber Agency (FATA), Pakistan. The data revealed that weeds problem was faced by 21.9% respondents, followed by 7.14% and 7.61% respondents who claimed insects and diseases, respectively in wheat fields alone. Weeds plus insects, weeds plus diseases, and insect plus diseases were faced by 20.47%, 14.28% and 14.76% respondents, respectively. All the three types of pests were faced by 13.80% of the farmers. Statistically the three groups were non-significantly different in this respect. Weeds were rendered as a very severe problem by 54.28% respondents, insects by 9.52% and diseases by 0.9%. The same three problems were considered sever by 27.14%, 44.76% and 31.90% respondents, respectively. However, the differences found among the three groups were significant. A majority (26.19%) of farmers used pesticide dealers as source of information. Other 13.33% used extension agents, 11.42% used fellow farmers and 9.04% used their own experience and knowledge in this regard. Radio and T.V. were used by 7.61% of the respondents. Other used these sources in combination/collectively for obtaining weeds/ pest control related information. A majority (36%) of respondents had started herbicides/ pesticides use from 16-20 years ago, followed by 32% and 16% respondents who started its use from 11-15 and 6-10 years ago, respectively. Only 11.42% had started its use for above 20 years ago. Large farmers followed by medium farmers were the early adopters of weedicides/ pesticides due to their better socio-economic conditions and land holdings with significantly different association, statistically. Only one commercial name of weedicide was told by 35.71% respondents, two by 23.81%, three by 20.47% and four by only 10% of the surveyed respondents. It is concluded that due to low literacy ratio, unawareness and poverty farmers were not in the position to know the required weedicides /pesticides and use it in a proper way and timings. It is recommended that farmers should be trained regarding selection and safe and sound use of weedicides/ pesticides along with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Page(s):
439-450
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, Volume: 23, Issue: 4, Year: 2017