Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops (2+1)

1. Burrowing nematode

1. Burrowing nematode - Radapholus similis

Damage

• The nematode in banana cause black-head toppling disease.
• At the bearing stage toppling of trees is an obvious symptom of attack due to root rot.
• The feeding of nematodes causes discoluration of cortex.
• The wounding cause’s discolouration as a result reddish brown cortical lesions develop.
• Both roots and corm of the plants are attacked and the necrosis decrease the root system to a few short stubs, reduction in the leaf size, yellowing of leaves and reduction in bunch weight.
• The trees succumb to winds and yield loss up to 39 per cent has been recorded due to nematodes.


Lesions on roots




Lesions on suckers



Toppled plants in field

Management

• Remove the nematode affected plants along with corm from the field and burn it.
• Pre -treat the suckers (Paring and pralinage) with carbofuran 3 G after removing the discoloured portions.
• The suckers and dipped in the clay slurry and 40 g of carbofuran granules are sprinkled over the surface and planted.
• Dip the suckers in 0.05 % solution (1.5 ml / litre of water) of monocrotophos 36 WSC at the time of planting.
• Apply carbofuran granules @ 10-20 gm/ plant around the pseudostem two months after planting.