Part I OF I Tamil Nadu.pmd - National Innovation Foundation

PART I : INNOVATIONS FROM TAMIL NADU
Control of Mushrooms in Acid lime
Anthonisamy, Tirunelveli
During rainy season there is usually a growth of mushrooms in the collar region of the
trees of acid lime. If these mushrooms are not controlled it will lead to death of trees.
Farmers in this area usually apply Bordeaux mixture for control of mushrooms. Bordeaux
mixture needs four to five days to suppress the growth of mushrooms. Anthonisamy has
found an alternative method of control by using locally available materials. Two kgs of
Aloe vera and one kg Garlic are crushed and ground well by adding little water to make
it as a paste. This has to be smeared over the affected collar region of trees. This
practice is reported to control mushrooms within three hours. He also uses this mixture
for control of earhead bugs in paddy or sorghum. He mixes one kg each of Moottanarielai
(Coleus aromaticus) and tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in 100 liters of water and adds it to the
existing mixture. This ensures protection of grains from earhead bug attack better than
synthetic pyrethroids recommended by agricultural department. Honey Bee, 16(2):17,
2005
Human hair as a fertilizer
P Subbiah, Dindigul
Waste hairs can be collected and applied to vegetable, fruit
and ornamental crops to increase the yield. A round pit is
dug around the plant or tree for the purpose. For ornamental
plants, 1/2 kg of hairs are to be used and for fruit trees, one
kg. In the case of fruit trees, application is to be done one
month after planting and also 45 days before fruiting. The
hairs are dispersed during the last plough for vegetables like
tomato and brinjal. Honey Bee, 9(2):9, 1998
TAMIL NADU INNOVATES 48