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Written by: Sajib, Borua |
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Indigenous Pest Control Practices of Assam |
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To beat the mites
Cow dung is dissolved in water which is sprayed on the paddy crop. This is very lingthemite
like pests. Besides this the water that is usually present in the plot can also be treated with cow dung or goat droppings which is equally effective in repelling insects.
To bore away the stem borers
Stem borers (Sciropophaga incertulas) are pests that bore into the stem of the plants and feed on the milky sap of the plant. In order to rid the crop of these pests a mixture of any of these ingredients namely neem seeds or neem leaves, leaves of ‘Basak’ (Adathoda vasica), peel of ‘RababTenga’ (Citrus grandis), bark of ‘Tarua Kadam’ (Acacia farnesiana), stems of ‘Kachri’ (Alocasia indica, Colocasia indica) are mixed with the impounded water in the plot of infected crop. Juice extracted from the leaves of ‘Bhilongoni’ (Polygonum spp) or neem leaves is also effective.
Checking on gundhy bugs
A general practice which is followed, involves hanging carcasses of crabs, eels, intestine of goat, goroi fish and also stalk of ripe jackfruits at various points in the infested plots. The gundhy bugs instead of feeding on the crop start feeding on these objects which are actually meant to distract the pests from attacking the crop.
The infested plot is also given a treatment which involves beating the plants with a stick so that the insects fly away or else are eaten by birds and this is usually done at sunset so that they are eaten away by the birds flying around (especially during sunset).
Also see HB4(1) 6, 1993
To pack away case worms
Jute or coconut fibre rope wetted in kerosene is held by two persons, and dragged from one edge of the plot to the other edge, such that all the leaves get wet with kerosene. Just in case, if the kerosene on the rope is insufficient a small quantity may be sprayed before the actual dragging process. Perches are erected using branches of small tree or bamboo twigs such that birds come to feed on the case worms.
Also see: HB 5(2):10-11, 1994 and HB 3(3&4):17, 1992
Repelling rice hispa
To arrest the attack of rice -hispa, an unusual way is to use bio- repellents like ‘Keturi Haldi’ (Curcuma aromatica) at various spots in the infested plot. Beating the plot of infested paddy with twigs of ‘bogori’ or ‘ber’ also helps. If ducks are allowed to swim in the infested paddy plot they feed on these pests thus providing control. Spraying the infested crop with a mixture of ‘Manchada’ (tobacco) leaves and garlic in ground form mixed with soap solution is also an effective deterrent. Lighting a fire beside the plot on moonless nights also helps in getting rid of these stem borers.
Protection against stored grain pests
The godown where the grains are to be stored is dusted along its edges with powdered bay leaf, neem leaves or neem seeds powder, or else tobacco powder or leaves, or seeds of ‘posotias’ (Vitex negundo) or its powder. The stored grain is also covered by a 2 to 3 inches high layer of rice husk a few ‘Ou-tenga’ (Dillenia indica L) fruits on the grains to be stored. (the fruits should be used in combination with the rice husks)
Controlling rodents
A bamboo pipe which is open on both the ends is filled with little rice husk and chilli powder and blown towards the hole of the rodents. Shower of this mixture scares them and they flee their holes.
Seeds of ‘beehmona’ plant are inserted into the holes of these rodents and then the holes are sealed. (The seeds are poisonous and prove fatal to the rodents)
For controlling pests of cucurbits
The pests belonging to the Coleoptera family or Beetle-type pests, cause a lot of damage to the cucurbit crop. These pests bore holes on the cucurbit fruit leading to damaged fruits. The cucurbit fruits grow high up on the creeper or are found growing at a lower level near the soil itself. These fruits are covered with straw, hay or grass. A fire is made with dry weed, leaves, and dry chillies right below the cucurbit creeper and this smoke is allowed to pass through the creeper. The smoke has a deterrent effect on these pests causing them to flee.
For pests of Cole crops (cabbage, cauliflower and knol khol)
Spraying a solution of tobacco, garlic paste and soap controls leaf eating caterpillar. In order to control soil borne pests plough neem leaves or seed cake into the soil. |
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| Volume No. |
Honey Bee, 10(2):4, 1999 |
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P.O Barbheta, Jorhat 785004, Assam |
