Better Farming Series 19 - Market Gardening (FAO - INADES, 1977, 56 p.) Control of insects and diseases (introduction...) Disinfecting the soil

Better Farming Series 19 - Market Gardening (FAO - INADES, 1977, 56 p.)

Control of insects and diseases

38. Many different vegetables may be attacked by insects and diseases.

Often you may not be able to recognize these insects and diseases.

Ask advice from the extension services about what pesticides to use.

The seeds you have bought must also be protected from insects and diseases. When they have been dried, keep them in a dry place, in tightly closed tins or bottles.

39. Insects

Remove and burn all fruits, leaves and plants attacked by insects.

Soil pests (cockchafers, wireworms and mole crickets) can be very injurious and can be controlled by various soil insecticides. Details should be obtained from your extension agent.

40. Diseases

Pull up and burn all diseased plants.

If you do not burn the diseased plants, the disease will attack all the plants in your vegetable garden.
Bean rust and tomato blight can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture. Ask the extension services how to use Bordeaux mixture.

Disinfecting the soil

41. You can disinfect the soil with hot water.

Pour boiling water on the vegetable beds before sowing.

For a bed of 10 square metres (m²), you will need about 10 watering cans of boiling water. Afterwards. cover the soil with sacks or matting.

You can also disinfect the soil with Vapam.

Vapam is a soil disinfectant. Three or four weeks before sowing, when a bed has been prepared for seeds or for transplanting, water the bed with Vapam. For a bed of 10 m², you will need about 20 litres of water with 1 litre of Vapam mixed in it.

Afterwards water plentifully with clear water, without Vapam.

Firm clown the earth and leave it to rest for a few days.

Before sowing, stir the soil well.