Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation

(Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation)
Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and state Govt is providing subsidy of 50 per cent
to the farmers for promoting the protected cultivation in Ladakh region.
4.6 Multipurpose Nets
Shade nets are used to reduce the adverse effect of scorching sun and heavy rain. Shade
houses are becoming popular for growing crops and nursery during summer season. Net houses
are used for raising vegetables/fruits/flowers/medicinal plants in high rainfall regions. Roof of the
structure is covered with suitable cladding material mostly HDPE, which does not absorbs
moisture. Slides are made of wire mesh of different gauges 25-90 percent shade depending upon
requirements. Such structures are popular in north-eastern region of the country.
Similarly weed nets are made of HDPE and covered on ground to control the weeds by
reducing light on the soil. Insect proof nets are effective to reduce the incidence of number of pests
and viral dieses in crops. These nets are used like mosquito net around the crops, having 40-50
mesh size. Other similar nets include bird protection nets to control the bird damage of plats/crops,
hail protection nets and reflector nets etc.
6.0 Features of an ideal greenhouse
Peculiarity of region’s weather i.e very high day-night temperature fluctuations strong winds
and high light intensity coupled with UV radiation etc must be kept in mind anddesign should be
done as per the needs for the region. Since hilly regions are remotely located and isolated from
main land hence all the required materials for greenhouse must be locally available and cheap in
cost so that poor farmers can afford the expenditure. The greenhouse must be capable enough to
trap the solar energy and produce the crops even at subzero temperatures (Tewari and Dhiman,
1986). It should also be strong enough to resist the snow load, strong cold waves and extremely
low temperature. The structure in hills should be also be able to retain the temperature for longer
period besides being simple and easily manageable so that even a lay man can built and manage
it without any difficulty. All the features may not be accommodated in one type of greenhouse
(Singh et. al; 1998 a).
7.0 Selection of Suitable Crops and Production Technology for Greenhouse
Selection of crops for production in green house is the most important factor in success.
The crop should not only be able to tolerate the low winter temperature but should also grow
under the cover where very little and diffused sun light is available. Fast vertical growing and
ratoon yielding crops should be prefered so that horizontal and vertical space is fully utilized, more
number of cutting/harvesting can be taken. Root crops like radish, beetroot, carrot, turnip can also
be grown (Singh et al, 1997).A list of vegetables suitable for winter months, their recommended
varieties, sowing time and planting distance is given in Table-5 (Singh, 1995 b). Among all, most
important factor is sowing time. Even one day delay in sowing causes significant reduction in yield.
Thus crop should be sown before onset of winter which enable the plants to resist low
temperature.
- 181 -