Farmers’ Perception and Knowledge in Begomovirus Epidemiology and Control in Pakistan

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan and growing crops are called as “spinal cord” state but still import bill country agricultural products rising day by issues food security also becoming grave because less knowledge farmers about emerging abiotic biotic stresses affecting crop productivity. Among various stresses, prevalence begomoviruses considered to be a major constraint in reducing yields economically important fiber crops. Farmers’ perception their regarding epidemiology practices pre-requisites for effective virus control. A farmer survey mostly having than 12.5 acres land vegetables, rice maize growers involving 250 randomly selected respondents from five districts (Nankana, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore) Punjab, inquire them whether they familiar with identification, means transfer diseases inoculum healthy plants associated losses fields, proper management these on time, was conducted better understand set possible pathways intervention Lack sufficient technical information vector begomovirus, transmission disease symptoms hindrance efforts In addition, did not have locally available methods begomovirus The highest prioritization aspect control immediate attention were determined decision making such spider diagram. Use pesticides, certified planting material, tolerant cultivars found most requiring aspects which could greater influence lower field Present study suggests that enhancing prioritized key determinant strategy implementation Pakistan.