There is increased advocacy for the use of organic fertilisers and pesticides. This is largely because they do not pose health threats and are more affordable than inorganic ones.
One such organic pesticide is an egg yolk mixture, which can be used to treat fungal diseases in plants and the eggshell mixture increases the calcium content in plants.
Diseases treated by egg yolk
Blossom end rot in tomatoes can be controlled with the use of the egg yolk mixture. End rot is a black spot common in tomatoes and eggplants. In most cases, it causes the fruit to rot.
The mixture also treats leaf necrosis in cabbages. In addition, the egg yolk keeps away pests and insects, such as termites.
Applying the pesticide
Apply the pesticide or fungicide before the diseases and pests infest the field. Neem oil is added to the mixture to control insects, such as whiteflies and mites.
Caution
Keep the pesticide out of reach of children and direct sunlight. Too much heat can cause a change in its properties.
Adding calcium to the soil using eggshells
Calcium is one of the nutrients required in the soil in small quantities, but its absence can be destructive to plants. Some of the effects of calcium deficiency in the soil are defoliation and rotting of young fruits.
Cabbages, tomatoes, passion fruits, cauliflowers as well as berries are especially affected by the deficiency of calcium in the soil.
Preparation
Processing the eggshell calcium requires as many shells as possible.
The shells are collected and dried in the sun for at least two days for easy crushing to get a powder or particles.
Extracting the calcium
Mix 1kg of crashed eggshells in 20 litres of vinegar in a container and keep the contents at room temperature for seven days. There will be no more solid eggshells floating in the vinegar. This means that the calcium has been fully extracted from shells.
The liquid is then drained and ready to be used on the farm.
Application
Use a sprayer to apply the liquid solution to the roots of the plant. Apply this solution once a week.
Farmers should apply the calcium to the holes as soon as the seedlings have been planted.
In case there are symptoms of calcium deficiency, mix 80ml of liquid soluble calcium in 20 litres of water and then spray on roots every seven days.
Farmer can start applying this organic liquid calcium two weeks after transplanting or before the crops start flowering up to harvest.
The liquid is neither a pesticide nor a fungicide, it is only a source of calcium.
When the liquid is used on the farm, all calcium deficiency-related diseases and disorders will not affect the plants.
How to make egg yolk pesticide
1 litre of water
1 egg
100ml of cooking oil
5g of copper sulphate
5ml of neem oil
All of the material can be bought from agrochemical stores around Kampala.
The recommended eggs are for local chicken with yellow yolks.
The yolk from exotic breeds is not good as most of the breeds are kept in cages. For the egg yolk to be yellow, the chicken must be feeding on greens.
A small weighing scale is required to take proper measurements.
Method
Pour the water in the cooking oil and one egg yolk into a jar and mix.
Use a blender to mix the materials thoroughly.
Add the copper sulphate and neem oil. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are dissolved.
Add the solution to 20 litres of water and spray on plants. Apply every after seven to 14 days.
Fungicides like copper oxide/copper sulphate control fungal diseases, like down mildew, powdery mildew and insects like mites.
The above mixture is recommended for preventive purposes only. In case of severe infections, farmers should increase the concentration of copper and sulphur to 20g and neem oil to 50ml.
The pesticide is most effective within eight hours after mixing.
