FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Management of eriophyid mite of coconut
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
The devastating eriophyid mite can be effectively managed by sprayinga solution of neem oil, garlic pearls and soap.
THE ERIOPHYID Mite is one of the dreaded pests of coconut, and in recent years it has caused enormous damage to the palms. Scientists at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) have been working on methods to effectively manage this scourge.
"With the present know-how, it becomes necessary to adopt chemical control measures with pesticidal spraying to manage the mite. Biological control methods are yet to be developed. Studies are in progress on the possibility of bio control of the mite using predacious mites and insects and pathogenic fungus like Hirsutella thompsonii," says Dr. C.P.R. Nair, Head of the CPCRI Regional Station at Kayangulam in Kerala.
Spraying the affected palms with a mixture of 2 per cent neem oil, garlic and soap mixture has been found to be effective.
To prepare one litre of the above mixture 20 ml of neem oil, 20 g of cleaned garlic pearls and 5 g of washing soap are required. The soap should be dissolved in 500 ml of water and neem oil is added to it. The mixture is to be stirred well to form an emulsion.
Well ground garlic is to be mixed with another 500 ml of water, and this solution should be mixed well with the neem oil and soap suspension after sieving through a cloth to remove the debris of garlic pearls. The preparation should be sprayed immediately on the affected palms, according to Dr. Nair.
Azadirachtin, the active insecticidal principal in neem oil is commercially manufactured and used as an insecticide. Studies at CPCRI have proved that 0.004 per cent azadirachtin gives good control of pest in field conditions. Trials carried out with micronised wettable formulation of sulphur have proved to be successful in controlling the mites. Sulphur is recommended at 0.4 per cent concentration for controlling the mites, according to Dr. Nair.
"To get an effective control of the pest, growers must ensure that the spray fluid is applied as fine droplets on the perianth region and general surface of nuts. For this, 1 to 1.5 litres of spray solution will be required. Before spraying, the mature bunches should be harvested'' says Dr. Nair.
``The spraying should be focused only on the bunches, and care should be taken to ensure that the unpollinated bunches and leaves in the crown are left untouched," he cautions.
The pesticidal spraying has to be done at the right time. When the mite population is at its peak in summer, especially after the receipt of summer showers, farmers should resort to the use of the recommended insecticidal spray.
The best seasons for taking up the spraying are March-April, October-November and December-January. It is particularly desirable that all the palms in the area are covered at the shortest interval, according to Dr. Nair.
Considering the ecological consequences of the use of pesticides to control the mites, it is now generally agreed upon to have a pesticide holiday in the management of eriophyid mite. "This approach will enhance the scope for the build-up of the natural enemy complex in the pest infested regions.
Meanwhile, scientists are working intensively to evolve eco-friendly biological methods of pest management," explains Dr. Nair.
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