To get more yield from fields, spread nets

If you thought the humble mosquito net would soon become history with the coming of the hi-tech repellents, think again. The net is back and...

If you thought the humble mosquito net would soon become history with the coming of the hi-tech repellents, think again. The net is back and in a new avatar.

One that may soon give the upmarket greenhouses a run for their money. Experiments conducted by Punjab Agricultural University PAU have proved that crops cultivated under the canopy of this net not only have a much higher yield but also don8217;t require pesticides, a pre-requisite for exports.

What8217;s more, the net allows farmers to advance the harvest of both capsicum and chilli by a month. While chilli has shown a 300 per cent increase in yield, capsicum upped its yield by 220 per cent.

The experiments began on a small scale last year, when a four-kanal area was covered by a mosquito net for protecting a capsicum and tomato crop.

The net not only prevented the entry of insect vectors but also provided scientists headed by Jarnail Singh Hundal, head of department of vegetable crop at PAU, with the option of regulating sunlight.

8216;8216;We conducted the experiment on mixed crop last year, but shifted to individual crops this year,8217;8217; says Hundal.

This year, the results have been nothing short of spectacular. Capsicums, which used to yield 50-60 quintals, now produced 112 quintals. Chillies are now yielding 14 quintals per kanal and the target is 20 quintals, a three-fold increase.

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Throughout the experiment, the scientists steered clear of pesticide sprays and made do with bio-pesticides like neem and aphids. As a result, the lab tests showed no residual effects of pesticides, a must for exports.

8216;8216;The experiment could well pave the way for organic farming in the state,8217;8217; remarks horticulture expert Satish Narula.

Two farmers who have tested this technique swear by its effectiveness. Says Buta Singh of Sindhaur village near Raikot: 8216;8216;The chilli crop can be harvested a month in advance giving greater returns8217;8217;.

In capsicum too, he made a killing by selling his crop a month earlier. 8216;8216;I managed a rate ranging between Rs 40 and 45 while today it fetches a fraction of that rate,8217;8217; he adds. His nursery can now hope for better returns of chilli saplings by entering the market much before others can dream of.

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Gurbhajan Singh of Garha village, near Phillaur, experimented with capsicum and tomato. A 60 per cent increase in tomato yield has Gurbhajan satisfied. Now he is bringing a bigger portion of his land under the net.

Hundal is satisfied with the results, 8216;8216;Earlier experiments were under polythene net but the mosquito one is very effective8217;8217;. It is not only easily available but also cheap and requires little expertise. Scientists are now planning to 8216;net8217; okra and brinjal which are often affected by insect borer.