my chaulai leaves get webbed and folded by caterpillars and have spots, but I sell it to eat, how to manage safely
2 Answers
Because chaulai is a quick leafy crop eaten directly, lean on non chemical control and strict pre harvest intervals. Webbed, folded leaves with caterpillars inside are from leaf webber, the main pest, managed by hand removing and destroying webbed shoots on small plots, keeping the field clean, and using a biopesticide or a product labelled for leafy vegetables only when needed, respecting the pre harvest interval. Leaf spots are worse in dense, damp, over watered plots, so improve spacing and avoid evening overhead watering. Since the leaves are cut and eaten within days, avoid strong chemicals close to harvest and always wash the produce well. Ask your KVK for the safest recommended option for leafy amaranth.
For chaulai I just pinch off the webbed shoots by hand on my small plots and keep it clean, since we sell it to eat in a few days. Wider rows and less evening watering cut the leaf spot.