India: Guard against pest attack on mango crops, farmers told

Horticulture experts here have urged mango growers to take up immediate prophylactic plant protection measures to prevent an attack of the seasonal pest, hoppers, during the flowering season.

Mango trees are being grown on about 5,256 hectares, mostly in Shencottai, Tenkasi, Kadayam, Alangulam, Cheranmahadevi and Kadayanallur blocks, in the district. Out of 18,182 hectares covered under fruit crops in the district, mango alone accounted for 28 to 30 per cent coverage, thanks to the conducive agro-climatic conditions, besides potential resources, according to T.V. Katchi Jamal, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Tirunelveli.

Mr. Jamal, while explaining the nature of attack, said mango hopper, the insect that causes maximum damage during the flowering season in mango, hides itself under crevices in the bark until February and becomes active during the flowering period.

“Both the adults and nymphs damage the crop. They suck the sap from tender shoots and panicles. The panicles wither away and the fruit set is adversely affected. Injury caused by oviposition further aggravates the situation. They release a honey like substance which develops a sooty mould on the leaves and panicles,” Mr. Jamal says.

Demonstration

In a demonstration conducted in a mango orchard near here, S. Raja Mohamed, Horticultural officer, Palayamkottai, said two rounds of acephate 75SP at the rate of 1gm per litre or Phosalone 35 Ec at the rate of 1.5 ml per litre or carbaryl 50 WP at the rate of 2 gm per litre or Phosphomidon 40 Sl at the rate of 2ml per litre of water to be sprayed by using only rocker-type sprayer. The first spray should be carried out at the time of panicle emergence and the second one two weeks after the first spray.

Wettable sulphur at the rate of 2 gm per litre of water may also be sprayed after spraying carbaryl to avoid mite resurgence.

Neem oil at the rate of 5 ml per litre of water can also be mixed with any one of the insecticides for the control of hopper and shoot webber, he said.


Source: thehindu.com

Publication date: 3/2/2009