02 November 2021, Punjab: The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, organized a webinar on “Nursery Raising and Protected Cultivation of Vegetable Crops” today, under the guidance of Dr. Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Head, Department of Vegetable Science,that was attended by as many as 42 farmers and scientists of development departments.
Dr Dhillon briefed the participants about the scope and importance of crop diversification through vegetable crops to save natural resources and to increase the income of farmers through vegetable cultivation in net/poly houses. He also stressed upon the nutritional benefits of vegetable cultivation in today’s era marked by increase in lifestyle diseases.
While addressing the participants, Dr Kulbir Singh, Principal Olericulturist, threw light on different methods of nursery sowing. He also advised the farmers to adopt nursery production business on commercial levels.
Dr Buta Singh Romana, Senior Extension Scientist (Vegetable) explained how the low tunnel cultivation of vegetables is a profitable business. He explained the methods of nursery raising under low tunnel for early production of vegetables and also explained economics of vegetable crops under low tunnel. Dr. Nilesh Biwalkar, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil water & Engineering discussed the structures and design required for construction of poly/net house.
Dr Salesh Kumar Jindal, Senior Vegetable Breeder, outlined the various agronomic practices like field preparation, sowing time, seed rate, irrigation and weed control for successful cultivation of capsicum and tomato under protected structures in detail.
Dr Rakesh Shards, Principal Scientist (Extension) Department of Soil water & Engineering, imparted knowledge about cultivation practices of soil less cultivation of vegetable crops, including the sowing methods and fertigation practices.
Dr Harpal Singh Bhullar, Entomologist, informed about the various insect pests of vegetables under protected conditions and their control measures. Dr. Rupeet Gill, Plant Pathologist (Vegetable) detailed the diseases of vegetables under protected conditions and their control measures.
Dr Dilpreet Talwar, Extension Scientist (Vegetable), while proposing vote of thanks shared the success story of S. Gurbir Singh, progressive farmer of vegetables to motivate the other farmers.
