Knowledge of Vegetable Growers in Identifying Pests Affecting Vegetable Crops in Punjab and the Kashmir Valley

The study, “Knowledge Assessment of Vegetable Growers in Identifying Pests Affecting Vegetable Crops in Punjab and the Kashmir Valley,” employed a non-experimental descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Punjab's Amritsar and Malerkotla districts and Kashmir Valley's Budgam and Baramulla districts. A total of 480 vegetable growers (n= 120 per district) who cultivated tomato, brinjal, chilli, cauliflower and cabbage were selected randomly. Pictorial identification was carried out to assess farmers’ knowledge of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Among insect pests, aphids were recognized by 88 per cent of respondents for tomato, while white fly was identified in brinjal and chilli at 53 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively. Tobacco caterpillar emerged as the most recognized pest for cauliflower and cabbage at 62 per cent. Regarding diseases, Alternaria leaf spot was most identified for tomato (61%) and brinjal (57%), while chilli anthracnose/die-back was noted by 48 per cent for chilli. Black rot was the most recognized disease in cauliflower and cabbage (68%), followed by stalk rot (40%). In terms of weeds, Jangli chulai was the most identified (69%), followed by Bermuda grass (65%). Sweet clover and purple nutsedge were recognized by 37 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, while field bindweed and Bathua were identified by 21 per cent and 19 per cent. This study highlights the need for targeted extension and training programs that address region and crop-specific identification deficits.