Diamondback Moth Threatens Cauliflower Crops: Neem Oil and Mustard Offer Solutions

• Diamondback Moth is destroying 80-90% of cauliflower crops in Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Weather changes, especially temperature fluctuations, create favorable conditions for the pest's rapid reproduction.
• Larvae of the Diamondback Moth eat tender cauliflower leaves, creating holes and stunting plant growth, leaving them skeletal.
• Agricultural expert Mansukh Lal Kushwaha recommends trap cropping with mustard (one row after every three cauliflower rows) to attract pests away.
• Biological control includes spraying a 4% neem oil solution, which reduces pest impact within 10-15 days; severe cases may require systemic pesticides.

Why It Matters: Farmers can protect cauliflower from Diamondback Moth using neem oil, mustard trap crops, and timely management.