Lassi can treat fungal infections on crops: Expert

Buttermilk, popularly known as 'Lassi', has proved to be one of the most effective fungicides and can be used to treat plants afflicted with fungal infections.

Sudhir Kumar Kaura, Director, Kisan Gyan Kendra, Hisar, said in a release issued here that findings of the research had been proved at international level and buttermilk could be used under supervision of agriculture experts.

However, he cautioned that buttermilk should be tested on a few plants before spraying in the whole field.

He said buttermilk could prevent fungus-borne diseases like Yellow Rust and White Rust in wheat crop.

He said that after filtering the five-day-old buttermilk, a little quantity of it mixed with water could be sprayed on plants within ten days. The buttermilk should not be stored in aluminum or bronze utensils.

He said intensive use of insecticides and uranium-rich phosphate fertilizers have not only resulted in getting the food poisonous but also made agriculture very expensive.