So far, root wilt, leaf rot, rhinocerous beetle, red palm weevil and leaf eating caterpillar were the enemies of scientists of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI). Now one more has joined the list of foes-the nut infesting eriophyid mite. The eriophyid mite, which retards the growth of the coconut tree in , was first detected early this year in certain coconut palms in Ernakulam district in Kerala. The symptoms of the disease are reduction in nut size, presence of warts and fissures on the husk, reduction in fibres and difficulty in dehusking of the hardened husk rendering it and making it unfit for sale. The Scientists at the CPCRI Kayamkulam station came to know about the new pest attack from the media and farmers and collected samples from various affected plantations in Mulanthuruthi near Ernakulam, CPCRI director KUK Nampoothiri said.
The scientists said eriophyid mite (aceria guerreronis) was seen only in South Africa, South and North America and the Carribean Islands and wastotally alien to India or other countries in the region. After detecting the disease in Kerala, the CPCRI scientists also received sampes of nuts from Pollachi and Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu, Bangalore and adjoining areas in Karnataka which were infested with the eriphyid mite.
The infestation was also noted in Alapuzha, Thrissur, Kottayam, Changanacherry and Pathanamthitta in Kerala.
The infestation could cause severe damage to coconuts in three southern states, the scientists said.
The CPCRI has recommended spraying of insecticides for controlling the mite. Monocrotophos 5 ml mixed with 10 litre of water is to be sprayed to the one month to nine month old bunches as they may contain live stages of the mite. Spraying has to be repeated three or four times till the fresh buttons are devoid of any injury b this mite. As monocrotophos is a residual insecticide, care should be taken to harvest all mature bunches before spraying, CPCRI scientists said.
The scientists said their present strategy is to developa management technique using eco-safe and low residual insecticide/acaricide or biopesticide for the destructive enemy of the coconut palm. Plant varieties which are resistant to the mite will also have to be developed, they added.CPCRI scientists said farmers in Kerala were reluctant to adopt modern farming techniques-involving utilisation of chemical and biological fertilisers according to the soil quality in their farms in the hope that coconut palm would yield returns on its own without much care.
Only when dreaded pests attack the less healthier palms, do they seek the scientists help. As a result, the productivity of coconut palms are declining steadily in Kerala whereas neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are surging ahead in this regard. The high cost of labour and materials was also a inhibiting factor for the farmers, they added.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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