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  • Essay / Mango tree borer control in Pakistan

    Mango is known as the queen of fruits. It is evident from the literature that the Vedas and the Ramayana presented mango as a well-known fruit in the Vedic and Aryan eras. The world's first recorded presence of the existence of the mango can be seen in the text by Ludovico di Varthema in the Italian language in manga form. Later this text was translated into post-classical Latin and French. The mango has been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years and reached East Asia between the fifth and fourth centuries BC. India is the largest mango producer in the world, accounting for 52.63% of the total production. Mango cultivation accounts for 37.61% of the total fruit cultivation area and 22.21% of the country's total fruit production. The country produced 10.99 million tonnes of mangoes from an area of ​​1.23 million hectares. The total area under mango cultivation in Bengal is 70,000-80,000 hectares, which is almost 44% of the total food crop area in the state. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay According to FAO statistics, more than 92 countries in the world produce mangoes. India is the largest producer of mango, contributing 54.2% of total global production, but its exports barely exceed 3% of total international demand. The major mango producing regions in India are Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, as well as Orissa and Maharashtra. Indian mangoes are unique in terms of taste and aroma, as they represent more than a thousand varieties, a diversity unmatched by any other national production. Two important causes for the low share of mango exports in global markets are contamination by insect pests and pesticide residues. Despite the largest mango production base, productivity in our country is rather low. The role of physicochemical characteristics of mangoes in determining the incidence of fruit moth infestation during different days after fruit set has not yet been studied. Mango, Mangifera indica L, which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, is one of the most important tropical and subtropical fruits in the world and is popular in both its fresh and processed form. It is called the king of fruits because of its nutritional value, taste, attractive fragrance and health-promoting qualities. In Uganda, mangoes are by far the most common fruit throughout the country. These are “spontaneous” fruits growing in all regions of the country thanks to the gift of nature and adapting to all ecological zones of the country, dry or humid, bordering mountains and lakes. However, the areas with the highest intensity are those in the relatively hot and dry areas of the North, North-East and West of the Nile. Traditionally in Uganda, mangoes are known to grow wild with little or no agricultural practices. The varieties of mangoes grown are mainly local. Most local varieties are high in fiber and require less attention when growing them. The Ugandan government's call for households to produce marketable and high-value crops has, however, led to the introduction of exotic varieties of mangoes into the country. Exotic varieties are of superior quality; they have higher juice yields, good flavor and no strings; and are more attractive to the local and international market. Since their introduction into the country at the end of the years1980, exotic varieties of mangoes spread throughout the mango growing regions of Uganda. Some of the exotic varieties of mangoes grown in the West Nile zone of Uganda include: Tommy Atkins, Kent, Haden, Keit, Zillate, Palvin, Palmer, Alphonso and Irwin, among others. diseases that actually reduce productivity. Mango is attacked by more than 400 pests worldwide. Usually, in a particular mango growing area, three or four major pests are present. Among them, mango midges and fruit borers (Autocharis albizonalis) are of primary importance, as well as mango larvae. Sahoo & Jha reported that the fruit borer, Autocar is albizonalis, has recently appeared in significant proportions in the major mango growing areas of West Bengal, particularly in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly districts, causing 10 52% damage to fruit caused by pinhead. stage until full maturity. It is revealed that the different physicochemical parameters such as TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar and acidity of different mango varieties are changed throughout the development period of mango. The infestation and degree of borer damage varies considerably among the genotypes of popular mango varieties and their different development periods. Several insects attack the mango tree from its nursery stage until maturity. The low productivity of mango is due to irregular and erratic production, damage from innumerable insects and other pests and harmful diseases. Nearly 400 insects and other pests have been recorded in the Indian subcontinent, showing records of 260 insect and mite pests, of which, according to Kapadia (2003), thirty pests are serious pests. Mango fruit borer, commonly known as red-banded caterpillar Autocharis albizonalis Hampson is believed to be reported as a new pest, causing alarming losses on mangoes in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, due to poor application judicious and inappropriate use of insecticides (PhD thesis submitted by SK. Sahoo in 2006 (Title – “Studies on Mango Insect Pest Complex, with Special Preference for Management of Mango Weevil and Mango Borer), in Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India). In West Bengal, it was first reported in Malda during a study of mango orchards in Malda and Murshidabad by Jha et al. 52% fruit damage at pinhead stage is observed in West Bengal, especially in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly India has the natural advantage of growing all kinds of fruit crops Mango is called. the king of fruits in our country. The mango tree suffers from a number of pests and diseases at all stages of its development, i.e. from the nursery stage to the adult tree stage. Even fruits before harvest are affected, making them unsuitable for marketing and export. Some of the mango pests reported by different authors include: beetles, fruit flies, red-banded thrips, mango tip borer, scales and seed weevil. Although diseases include: Anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, bacterial black spot caused by Mango pest and disease management isgenerally poor among Ugandan farmers. Thus, some mango pests, such as fruit flies, would have a devastating effect on mango production in Uganda. Therefore, the current level of productivity in Uganda's mango growing belt is discouraging. Being a new agribusiness in the West Nile Zone (WNZ), there are various knowledge gaps among farmers on pests, diseases and fruit tree management of exotic mangoes. Indeed, the possibilities of transfer of diseases and pests from the origin of exotic varieties are high. In addition, crops can also be attacked by pests and diseases that may have lived on alternative wild plants that were of little concern to farmers. These are all mysteries unknown to exotic mango growers and WNZ researchers. As a result, there is a lack of information on exotic mango pests, diseases and orchard management practices in the area. This study therefore aimed to establish the knowledge and perceptions of farmers on mango pests and diseases and to examine the orchard management practices used by farmers. WNZ practices are useful in establishing research programs, for plan campaign strategies and develop messages to communicate to farmers. In the district, fifteen mango farmers with producing orchards with trees aged 5 years or older were randomly selected for interviews guided by a semi-structured questionnaire. The interviews were conducted with the selected individuals as they allowed for face-to-face interaction between the researchers and the respondents. This allowed unclear questions to be explored and explained. The main variables covered in the questionnaire included: sociodemographic factors, agronomic practices and major mango pests and diseases. The content of the questionnaire and the type of questions asked were agreed after interviews with key informants. The questionnaire was pretested and revised. Particular attention was paid to farmers' knowledge and perceptions of mango tree pests and diseases as well as the main orchard management practices. To assess farmers' perceptions of pests and diseases, they were first asked to record the most important pest and disease problems. For each of the major pests and diseases, their incidence, severity and estimated yield loss were ranked on a three-level scale (low, moderate and high). On average, each questionnaire required 1.5 to 2.5 hours of interview with each farmer, followed by a visit to the orchard. The aim of the visit to the orchard was to cross-check the answers given by the farmers. In each orchard visited, 10 trees were randomly selected and surveyed for pests and symptoms of pests and diseases. Orchard management practices employed by farmers were also established. Survey data were coded and statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 16. Percentages were based on the number of respondents rather than the total sample. In cases where multiple responses were obtained, the full sample size was used. Chi-square tests were used to analyze farmers' perceptions of pests and diseases. Multinomial logit was used to analyze the factors influencing orchard management practices adopted by farmers. Keeping this tomind, the present investigation on the physicochemical characteristics including TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, titratable acidity and sugar-acid ratio of different popular varieties of mango in relation to the incidence of fruit moth fruit, was carried out. The study on the incidence pattern of the mango tree borer (Autocharis albizonalis Hampson) was carried out as well as the different aspects of the infestation and their varietal preference. This pest, once considered a minor pest in mango orchards, has recently acquired the status of a major pest due to injudicious application of broad-spectrum insecticides in mango orchards. The first brood of the pest was observed in the first half of March and continued until June. It was found that the parasite attack was maximum in the west direction. The larvae burrowed from fruit in the young marble stage to more mature fruit, producing a small circular hole the size of a pinhead at the entry point, surrounded by a dark brown ring. The larvae feeding on the fruit pulp formed a network of tunnels to reach the seed. The last instar larvae feed on the seeds and fill the internal contents with their excrement. Management: Mango larvae (Cicadellidae: Homoptera) Three species of larvae feed on the mango inflorescence Amritodus Atkinson (Lethierry), Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry) and I. niveosparsus (Lethierry). Distribution: In India, these larvae are widely distributed in all mango-producing regions. A. Atkinson is more common in northern India. I. clypealis is found throughout India, most predominant in southern Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. I. niveosparsus is reported from peninsular India. Nature of damage: Larvae are found in abundance from November to February, in synchronization with the flowering of mango trees. During the rest of the year, they occur in small numbers inside the peels or on the leaves of mangoes. Nymphs and adults suck sap from the inflorescence in large numbers, causing wilting and dropping of flower buds and flowers, resulting in heavy losses ranging from 25 to 60 percent due to poor fruit set. The honeydew they excrete provides conditions conducive to the development of sooty mold. Laying eggs also damages the inflorescence. Life history: I. niveosparsus (L.) is slightly smaller with three spots on the scutellum and a prominent white band on its light brown wings. I. clypealis (L.) is the smallest with two spots on the scutellum and dark spots on the apex and is light brown in color. A. Atkinson (L.) is the largest and light brown, with two spots on the scutellum. The female larva inserts the eggs into the flower buds and the stem of the inflorescence. The nymphs hatch after 4 to 7 days. Newly hatched nymphs are wedge-shaped and whitish in color with two small red eyes. Gradually, with each molt, the color changes to yellow, yellowish green, green and finally greenish brown. The period from egg to adult takes about 12 to 17 days and during one flowering season two or more broods of the pest may occur. Management strategies: (i) Three applications of carbaryl 0.1% or phosalone 0.05% at fortnightly intervals, or, two sprays of phosphamidon or monocrotophos 0.03% at 13 to 18 day intervals during flowering and 2 to 3 sprays in June – July. (ii) Keeping orchards clean, avoiding overcrowding of trees and waterlogging, keeps the pest at bay. Midges infest the inflorescence of mango trees. Distribution: Three species of midges, namely, Procystiphora mangiferae (Felt), Dasineura amaramanjarae Groverand Erosomyia indicia Gr. & Pr. are found throughout India. Nature of damage: Due to attack on unopened flower buds, they do not open and fall. When the inflorescence stem is attacked, the inflorescence becomes stunted and malformed. Life History: (i) Procystiphora mangiferae (Felt): The light orange colored fly lays its eggs inside the immature flowers. The larvae emerging from the eggs feed on stamen stalks, anthers, ovaries, etc. Only one larva is found in each bud and it pupates inside the bud itself. The life cycle from egg to adult lasts 12 to 14 days). (ii). Dasineura amaramanjarae Grover: Adult flies insert eggs into unopened flower buds. The maggots feed inside the buds and fail to open and fall off. Maggots hibernate in the soil, allowing the pest to be passed on to the following year. When favorable conditions arise, they pupate and emerge as adults. (iii). Erosomyia indica Gr. & Pr.: Maggots attack the stem of the inflorescence, flower buds and small developing fruits. The adult fly is yellowish and lays its eggs on the peduncle of the inflorescence or at the base of the developing fruit. Maggots are yellowish and once developed, they pupate in the soil. Control strategies: (i) Stem injection by making 5-10 cm deep holes in the main branches with dimethoate or monocrotophos at 0.5 ml ai/cm circumference gave effective control of the pest . . (ii) A single spray of 2,4-D at 150 mg/l in October resulted in the opening of galls causing 90% autocidal mortality of nymphs. Fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Tephritidae: Diptera) Distribution: It is widely distributed in the Orient region from Australia and Hawaii to Pakistan, hence its name oriental fruit fly. The pest is active throughout the year in southern India, while in northern areas it hibernates during winter (November to March) in the pupal stage. Flies appear late in spring on fruits about to ripen and the population increases rapidly during the summer. Nature of damage: Female flies lay their eggs just under the skin of the fruit (1 to 4 mm deep). When the maggots hatch, they feed on the pulp of these fruits. As a result, a brown spot appears around the oviposition site and the infested fruits begin to rot. These affected fruits fall prematurely and the worms emerge from these fallen fruits to pupate in the soil. Semi-ripe fruits are generally attacked in April-May. Sometimes it becomes serious.Life History: The adult fly is light brown with transparent wings. Adult flies are very visible. These are about 7 mm long, with hyaline wings (extent: 13 - 15 mm), a ferruginous thorax without the yellow median stripe, yellow legs, a conical shaped abdomen and dark brown in color. The pre-oviposition period is 2 to 5 days. A single female can lay 150 to 200 eggs (on average 50) in about a month. Eggs are laid in clusters of 2 to 15 eggs and hatch in 2 to 3 days in March and 1 to 1½ days in April. The duration of the maggot is 6 days in summer and extends to 19 days as temperatures drop. Pupation usually takes place 80 - 160 mm below the soil surface and the pupation period varies from 6 days (summer) to 44 days (winter). Management Strategies: (i) The best way to avoid fruit fly infestation is to harvest fruits before they ripen. (ii) To control pest transmission, collect and destroy all fallen and attacked fruits. (iii) Plow around trees during winter to expose and kill pupae.(iv) Adult flies can be trapped and killed by poison bait or bait spray (20 g Malathion, 50% wettable powder in 2 liters of water for bait and 20 liters of water for bait). spraying (v) Spraying with 0.3% oxydemeton methyl or 0.03% phosphamidon or 0.06% dimethoate or 0.2% carbaryl. Mango nut weevil or stone weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Fb). .) (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) Distribution: It is widely distributed in the tropics. The pest is most common in southern India where late varieties suffer the most. Nature of damage: Eggs are laid singly on the. The epicarp of partially developed fruits or under the rind of ripening fruits The larvae emerge from the egg tunnel zigzagging through the pulp, endocarp and seed coat and finally reaching the cotyledons. and as the fruit develops, the tunnels close and the larvae feed on and destroy the cotyledons. Adults that emerge from pupae also feed on the developing seed, which can hasten maturity. of infested fruit. Adults hibernate between crevices of tree trunks. The weevil attacks the single mango.Life history:The large dark brown weevil measures about 6 mm long. The female digs into the surface of the developing fruit (until it is half ripe) and deposits the eggs one by one. On one fruit, 12 to 36 eggs can be deposited. However, in the end only a maximum of around 7 weevils can be observed in a very susceptible variety. The liquid that oozes from the fruit covers the egg. The incubation period is 7 days. The worm is legless, fleshy, light yellow with a dark head and pupates inside the nut itself. It emerges as an adult in 7 days. The total life cycle from egg to adult lasts 40 to 50 days. Weevils hibernate from July to August until the next fruiting season. There is only one generation per year.Management Strategies: (i) Damage due to walnut weevil can be significantly minimized by spraying deltamethrin 0.025% three times at 15 days interval, in beginning 45 days after fruit set. (ii). Carbaryl 0.2% sprayed when the fruits are the size of a lime followed by another spray after 15 days. (iii). Destroying affected fruit and digging up the soil to expose hibernating weevils. Mango stem borer Batocera rufomaculata DeG. (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera) Distribution: Widely distributed throughout India and Bangladesh, attacking, besides mango, other trees such as fig, rubber, jackfruit, eucalyptus, mulberry, etc. The Amlet and Mulgoa mango tree varieties are very susceptible to attack by this insect. Nature of damage: Eggs are laid individually either in the cracks of tree trunks or in the cavities of the main branches and stem which are covered with a viscous liquid. The larvae feed by tunneling into the bark of branches and cause wilting. Although it is an important occasional pest, in the event of a severe attack, the trees succumb. Normally, the attack goes unnoticed until the branch begins to dry out. Sap and excrement can sometimes be seen leaking from the boreholes.Life History:The adult beetle has two pink spots and lateral spines on the thorax and is about 50 mm long. Eggs laid alone on the bark or in crevices of a tree trunk or branches hatch in about 1 to 2 weeks. The worm feeds for 3 to 6 months and pupates inside the tunnel itself. The adult emerges after approximately 4 to 9 months. Management strategies: (i) Attacked parts must be removed and destroyed. (ii) Larvae..