Training can resolve farmers problems: Dr Abbasi

Islamabad

Dr Nadeem Abbasi, Dean Faculty of Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), has said that awareness and training sessions should be conducted inside fields so that farmers can discus and resolve the problems they are facing.

Dr Abbasi was speaking on ‘Transfer of viticulture technology to the farmers of Potohar region’ on the occasion of Farmers Day at Raja Yasir Grape Farm here Saturday.

Dr Abbasi defined viticulture as growing and cultivation of grapes. He discussed overall scenario of grapes cultivation in Pakistan particularly Potohar region and briefed farmers about the current grape problems. Farmers were benefitted by the experience of Dr Abbasi.  He also briefed on plantation, layout and trellising of vineyard.

He said that harvested fruits need value addition to make it stable, more profitable and easily saleable like jams, jelly and squash. He also briefed farmers about making current from grapes. Machine transforms grape into current in 10 hours at 60 degree centigrade, he said. Vitro and Sugra 1 can be used for the purpose

Dr Muhammad Shafique from PMAS-AAUR said that Spur pruning does not need prolonged hanging of branches and may be cut after two buds. Spur pruning is done in Perlette, Flame seedless, Cardinal and King with a Minimum of 12-15 centimetre distance between buds. Cut extra branches, he said adding that pruning allows air, sunshine and less pest attack as rain water dries easily. Bunches also have proper distance as over-crowding would destroy the creeping, he said.

Cane pruning varies significantly from spur pruning. Cane pruning is done in varieties like Red Globe, Thompson Seedless and Vitro Black. It is done in varieties which bear fruit after 5 buds. Cane pruning is severe and farmers are often afraid to perform cane pruning as 90 % shoots are removed in this process. He said that only one fruiting cane is trellised at wire and one renewal shoot is left for next year growth. Laper is used for cane pruning as we had to cut bigger wood. Apply a wax paste on cut branches to prevent from germs, he said.

He suggested high tensile wire because it does not break at higher temperature. Usually, the branch does not touch the wire but its trellis, he said while answering a question.

Dr Irfan Ali also from UAAR said that varieties and pruning are very important. He apprised the farmers on suitability of grapes and ifs and buts of growers. He said that a farm gives result in three years. He said that pruning is mostly required in deciduous plants like grapes, plum, peach etc. He said that pruning is actually done in winter when plants are hibernating.

Dr Raja Usman highlighted different diseases of grapes and their control. He briefed about major diseases of grapes such as black rot, anthracnose, powdery mildew and downy mildew. He explained about the causes and preventive measures of these diseases.

Dr Azhar from UAAR gave detailed lecture about introduction of grapes, selection of variety and their trellising systems.  Dr Abbasi thanked farmers for coming from areas other than Potohar also.