MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Pests and diseases

Pests

A large number of insect pests attack mints. Among them, the impor¬tant ones are the leaf-roller, pyralid, the hairy caterpillar and termites.
The attack of the hairy caterpillar (Diacrisia obliqua Walk) during the months of April-May causes rapid defoliation. This can be controlled by spraying 5% Dipterex. During the dry months, termite attacks are often observed. These can be effectively con-trolled by the application of 3% Heptafan @ 50 kg/ha to the soil before planting. Other pests like cut-worm (Aulucophora favicollis) also cause damage to the crop. They can be controlled by spraying Thiodon.
Nematodes severely damage the foliage yield of mints. The nematodes can be effectively controlled by the application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha to the soil.

Diseases
Rust, powdery mildew, wilt, leaf-blight and stolon-rot are the five fungal diseases which have been reported to affect mint to a signifi¬cant extent under Indian conditions.