By Joshua Kato
Even when a farmer has used improved varieties and seed, applied fertilisers as recommended and watered/irrigated his crops adequately, there is no guarantee that he will get a good crop.
All crops are susceptible to damage by pests. If left uncontrolled, pests can cause serious destruction and damage.
There are several types of pests and diseases that may cause losses for farmers. They include insects, nematodes (which are mainly tiny worms), pathogens that include bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, vertebrates (usually small animals like rats, mice, birds, flying foxes and bats or bigger animals like the wild boar, pigs, monkeys and baboons) and weeds.
Weeds compete with the main crop for the available resources like water, space, sunlight and plant foods or nutrients.
Weeds can also harbour parasites, insects and pathogenic diseases.
Crop protection
There are various types of crop protection. Insects are protected by the use of insecticide; nematodes are killed by mematicides, pathogens are controlled by bactericides and fungicides, weeds are controlled by using herbicides and weedicides.
Tips to farmers when buying crop protection products;
Information sourced from AT Uganda and Uganda National Agro-input Dealers Association
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