1. Wound Disinfectant Solution It consists of Mercuric chloride 1 g, Methylated spirit 250 ml and Water 750 ml. The solution should not be placed in metal container; glass vessels or porcelain jar may be used to hold it. The disinfectant solution should be applied with a large swap of cotton. Allow the disinfectant to evaporate and cover the wounded surface with Bordeaux paste which is applied with a brush. Method of Application (i) Clean the infected or wounded portion by scraping diseased bark(ii) Apply disinfectant solution using cotton swab(iii) Allow it to dry completely(iv) Apply Bordeaux paste or protective coating over the treated area Precautions Mercuric chloride is highly toxic, handle with care Avoid contact with skin and eyes Do not use metal containers as it reacts chemically Keep away from children and animals Prepare fresh solution when required for better effectiveness 2. Bordeaux Paste Prepared by dissolving 2 kg of copper sulphate in 15 litres of water. Take 15 litres of water in another vessel. With a small portion of the second lot of water, slake slowly 3 kg of quick lime. Add the remaining portion of water to it. Mix the two concentrated solutions and stir. Apply the paste thus formed to the cut ends with a brush. 3. Bordeaux Paint It consists of Monohydrated copper sulphate 1 kg, Hydrated lime dust 2 kg and Boiled linseed oil 3 litre. Monohydrated copper sulphate can be made by heating the copper sulphate crystals over fire. Place the crystals on a sheet of iron or on a frying pan (tawi) till they crumble into a white amorphous powder. Lime dust and copper sulphate powder are then mixed thoroughly and linseed oil is added. All the three constituents are then homogenized. Bordeaux paint is now ready for application and should be applied with a brush. It may be stored in a vessel for future use or made fresh when needed. Bordeaux paint makes the covered surface impervious to water. It is very useful in places subject to abundant rains and protects the wounds from the wood rotting fungi. It lasts for a year or so. Method of Application (i) Prepare fresh Bordeaux paste before use(ii) Clean and scrape the infected or cut surface(iii) Apply the paste uniformly with a brush on wounds or cut ends(iv) Ensure complete coverage of exposed tissue Precautions Always prepare in non-metal containers (plastic/wooden/earthen) Use fresh solution; do not store for long time Maintain proper ratio of copper sulphate and lime Avoid application during rainy conditions 4. Bordeaux Mixture 2:2:250 consists of Copper sulphate 2 kg, Quick lime (unslaked lime) 2 kg and Water 250 litres. The raw material should be of good quality. Copper sulphate of guaranteed 98 per cent purity should be obtained. Only the freshly burnt limestone (quick lime) should be used and it should be free from earth and sand. Solution of copper sulphate and lime should be made separately. For preparing 2:2:250 Bordeaux mixture, dissolve 2 kg of copper sulphate in 125 litres of water. Copper sulphate dissolves very slowly in cold water; hence in winter use hot water or suspend copper sulphate in gunny sac into a wooden barrel or an earthen pitcher so that the material remains immersed. Do not dissolve copper sulphate in a metallic vessel. Slake 2 kg of quick lime in another vessel and add water slowly; when the lime is completely slaked, add enough water to bring it up to 125 litres. Then mix the two solutions either by pouring the copper sulphate solution into the lime solution slowly or the two solutions together into a third vessel. Pour the lime solution through a strainer to keep back all lumps. Stir the mixture all the time while pouring and stir and strain the mixture again when pouring into the sprayers. Bordeaux mixture should be tested properly. Bordeaux mixture as prepared above is alkaline containing excess of lime and it turns the red litmus paper blue. An excess of copper compound in the mixture is dangerous to the foliage of many plants and is indicated by the solution turning the blue litmus paper red. Another way of determining whether the mixture contains excess of copper is to immerse a bright surface such as a knife blade or a nail in the upper layer of the liquid; a deposit of copper will form on the metal if the mixture is unsafe. A more accurate test can be made with ferrocyanide of potassium by adding a few drops of the Bordeaux mixture to little ferrocyanide in a small saucer; if no change occurs, the mixture is safe but if it becomes reddish brown, too much copper is present. More lime solution must be added if the tests indicate that copper is present in excess. Bordeaux mixture should not be applied when it is raining or on exceptionally hot day when the plants are showing sign of temporary wilting. 5. White Wash Mixture It consists of Lime slaked 25 kg, Copper sulphate 500 g, Gum or Suresh 500 g and Water 100 litre. Purpose of White Wash Mixture Used for coating tree trunks and main branches Protects plants from sunburn and cracking of bark Acts as a deterrent against insect pests and pathogens Helps in maintaining tree health during extreme weather Method of Preparation and Application (i) Slake the lime properly before use(ii) Dissolve copper sulphate separately in water(iii) Mix gum (adhesive) in water to improve sticking property(iv) Combine all the ingredients thoroughly(v) Apply the mixture uniformly on trunk and main branches using a brush Time of Application Usually applied during winter season (December–January)Can also be applied before summer to prevent sun injury Precautions Use non-metal containers for preparation Stir continuously to avoid settling of lime Apply on clean and dry trunk surface Avoid application during rainy conditions Note: The quantity of water (500 litres) given in various spray schedules is for full grown fruit trees for one acre sprayed with foot sprayer. For young trees, the quantity of water will vary according to the size of plants. For motorized knapsack sprayer, use the same quantity of insecticides or fungicides as mentioned in the text, but the quantity of water for dilution will be approximately one tenth. Dissolve the suresh in hot water before putting in the mixture. PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CULTIVATION OF FRUITS