Awareness progs on Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) organized

Jammu : All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP-Nematodes) ICAR-IARI, Division of Nematology, New Delhi conducted a field demonstration under the supervision of Dr R. K. Walia, Project Coordinator at Potato Development Farm Nathatop for sensitization of officers and staff of Department of Agriculture on identification/sampling and preventive measures for Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) here Saturday. He was accompanied by Director Extension, SKUAST Jammu Dr K. S. Risam, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Jammu R. L. Bhagat, Deputy Director SAMETI, SKUAST-JAMMU Dr Rama Kant Sharma, Potato Development Officer Jammu S. Arvinder Singh Reen and other senior officers of the Department.
Earlier, One day awareness program on identification and mapping of hill potato growing area for presence of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) was organized by Agriculture Department at Conference Hall, Krishi Bhawan TalabTillo Jammu. Dr R. K. Walia, who was the chief resource person, highlighted the importance of conducting more surveys to identify PCN endemic areas in the state and taking all preventive measures against PCN as nematodes contributes about 25% of total crop loss.
Dr Walia suggested cultivation of PCN resistant variety viz. Kufri Swarna, Kufri Neelema, Sanitization and Solarization of potato fields, Rotation with non-Host crops like radish, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, garlic, carrot, beetroot etc as some of the control measures against PCN.
Those who were present on the occasion Joint Director Agriculture (SLUB), Jammu Bulesh Zutshi, Deputy Director Agriculture (Trainings) Sunil Koul, Chief Agriculture Officer Ramban K. K. Gupta, Ashok Verma, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Central) Jagmohan Bhat, Senior Scientist, SKUAST-Jammu Dr Rajan Slalia, SMS-RL P. S. Mastana, Agronomist H. D. Sharma, Agriculture Chemist R. K. Bindroo, SDAO Ramban M. G. Singh and other officers of Agriculture Department.