Eco-friendly pesticide to manage coconut Eriophyid mite
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
The dreaded Eriophyid mite pest of coconut can be effectively managed with the botanical insecticide.
A BOTANICAL insecticide to effectively manage the dreaded Eriophyid mite (Eriophyes gurreronis) has been developed by a distinguished coconut scientist of Tamil Nadu, and it has been extensively field tested for its efficacy. "It is essentially a combination of ten botanical extracts of proven insecticidal and repellant properties. It is an eco-friendly and economical insecticide for the coconut growers," says Dr. I. Henry Louis, former Professor and Head of the Regional Research Station of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Paiyur, Dharmapuri district. An international expert on coconut, Prof. Louis has demonstrated the potency of this botanical insecticide in over 8000 palms in the districts of Thanjavur, Triunelveli, Madurai and Coimbatore. It is being evaluated by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Agricultural College of Annamalai University and Kerala Agricultural University.
The efficacy of the pesticide has already been tested in their laboratories, and it has been found to be effective against the targeted insect pests, according to Prof. Louis.
The botanical insecticide has also been effective in eliminating other sucking insects such as the scale insects (Aspidiotus destructor) and the mealy bug (Pseudococcus).
It can also be used to control rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil and many soft bodied larvae in cabbage, cauliflower, castor, beans and cotton.
It is not harmful to other beneficial insects and organisms in coconut palms, according to Prof. Louis.
As most of the ingredients of this herbal preparation are used in treating human and livestock ailments, it can be safely used on coconut groves and trees in home gardens.
The botanical insecticide is divided and packed in two different containers.
They should be mixed and diluted just before actual use. The spray solution should be directed to new inflorescence, matured female flowers, developing young nuts and the central bud. The diluted fluid with a special smell repels and kills the target pests. Its application has to be repeated once again at an interval of 20 days.
The effect of the insecticide on the inflorescence and leaf axils has been found to last for 30 to 40 days, according to him.
Power sprayers or high tree sprayers can be used for spraying trees in home gardens, and tractor-mounted sprayer is ideal for spraying large groves.
Besides its insecticidal value, the herbal preparation, with high boron content, upon contact with green parts of the palm such as the petiole, leaflet and the inflorescence, stimulates plant growth and increases fruit set, according to him.
A litre of the pesticide can be diluted with five litres of water and sprayed over six palms.
The cost per palm will work out to Rs. 8 and the cost of spraying with a tractor-mounted sprayer will be Rs.3.50 per palm.
It is thus an eco-friendly, economical and effective option to eradicate the pest, according to Prof. Louis.
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