NEEM PESTICIDE ON ERIOPHYID MITE OF COCONUT

Title : Bio-efficacy evaluation of neem based pesticide NEEMRAJ Supreme against Coconut eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis ( Acarina Eriophyidae) Keifer

INTRODUCTION

Coconut Eriophyid mite has been a big problem to coconut cultivation all over the world. The mite was first reported from Mexico in 1960 and was described by Keifer in 1965. It has been also observed in Central and South America, the Caribbean and West Africa. Recently, the pest has assumed serious proportions in India and Sri Lanka and experts have not ruled out its further spread to other coconut economies in the East Asia.

Until the advent of this mite, probably no other pest has created such an unprecedented panic among farmers, agricultural scientists, politicians and bureaucrats alike. Even ordinary people, who have one to a few trees around their residence, became panicky when they first realized that mites were attacking their coconuts.

The pest in question is a minute Arthropod identified as Eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer. It was first discovered in Colombia and subsequently observed in Coconut growing regions of Latin America and West Africa. In Asia, it was first reported in Kerela in India in 1998 and it has been marching rampantly to the nearby Coconut growing States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh as well as East & West Coast of North India. Now it is spreading like wildfire in other Asian countries and wrecked havoc to different Coconut growing countries. Losses of 25-30% in copra yield have been recorded due to its attack. With its high reproductive rate, the mite is increasing in great numbers and spreading fast as well.

SYMPTOMS OF MITE ATTACK:

The first symptoms of mite infestation are white streaks, which originate from the perianth and go downwards along the nut surface. Later, white to cream-coloured triangular patches are formed along the edge of the perianth. As the fruit increases in size, the older patches turn brown and acquire a corky appearance. At the same time, new patches start appearing owing to the shifting or formation of new colonies of the mite. Because of the formation of cracks, the exocarp splits and the fissures can reach deep into the mesocarp.

LIFE CYCLE OF ERIOPHYID MITE:

Aceria guerreronis is microscopic in dimension, the adults are 35 – 50 µm width and 200 – 250 µm length. They have high reproductive rates and a very short life cycle of 10 – 11 days. The meristemitic zone of the Coconut covered by the perianth (Also referred as tepals or bracts) is site for mite development. The mite sucks the sap from the tender tissues using their cheliceral stylets resulting in whitish triangular patches at the base of perianth which later turns brown followed by warting and suberization (thickening) of the nut epidermites. This leads to,

1. Drying of young buttons. 2. Premature nut dropping. 3. Reduction in nut size. 4. Loss of copra yield to the extent of 20 – 30%. 5. Yield losses due to compaction and toughening of the Mesocarp (coir fibers), which increases the labour requirement for de-husking. The dispersal of Eriophyid mite has been hypothesized to take place by many methods. However, the exact mechanism is not known.

RISK OF CHEMICAL CONTROL:

The ensuing hue and cry resulted in the prescription of a variety of chemicals by scientists and officers of Central Institutes, Universities and the Departments of Agriculture in different States. The chemicals that found favour with the farmers during the initial years were monocrotophos (root feeding or stem injection), dicofol, endosulfan and ethion. Later triazophos and carbosulfan entered the list of recommended chemicals. Nevertheless, none of the methods could bring the pest under sufficient control. Environment and health have been the ultimate casualties.

The results from experiments in many countries indicate that, chemical control is possible, but the number of treatments and the quantities of chemicals required make it not only uneconomical, but also dangerous to the environment and various life forms. Resistance to chemicals is also feared. With the passing of time the problem has becoming a political issue as many of the farmers and politicians have come to the conclusion that there is no effective control measure in sight.

NEEM IN CONTROL OF ERIOPHYID MITE:

Neem (Azadirachta indica) a versatile tree known from ancient India effective against controlling number of insects and pests of various crops, have found to be the effective solution to control the menace caused by eriophyid mite. Neem seed is rich in Azadirachtin and 28 other active ingredients which are effective in controlling the coconut mite problem to a great extent. Even though Neem seed contains many active ingredients having biological control over wide range of insects and pests, Azadirachtin is the main active ingredient and therefore all Neem based pesticide formulations are standardized on the basis of Azadirachtin.

APPLICATION OF NEEM RAJ SUPREME:

For controlling Eriophyid mite in Coconut, – Neem Raj Supreme is to be applied in four ways.

A. ROOT FEEDING METHOD

1. Basin watering of Coconut should be done a day before root feeding treatment.

2. Choose a single pencil thick orange or light brown coloured root by tracing on the opposite side very carefully using hand fork.

3. Give a slanting cut from one inch from the top of the selected root in one stroke using surgical blade.

4. Prepare a solution by adding 10 ml of Neem Raj Supreme in 10 ml of water.

5. Transfer the above solution in small polythene bag.

6. Immerse the cut end of the root into the polythene bag and tie its neck to the root with rubber band or thread. Cover the root with loose soil.

7. Within 24 hours, the root absorbs the Neem Raj formulation and whole quantity is transferred to the crown area of the tree.

8. Remove the bag when total solution is absorbed and cover the root with soil.

9. If in case, the solution remains unabsorbed, select a new root and again treat it as above using freshly prepared solution.

10. Root feeding method should be carried out at the interval of three months.

A. CROWN SPRAYING

4 ml of Neem Raj Supreme per ltr. of water is recommended for crown spraying. This emulsion is sprayed using a high volume hand sprayer / rocker sprayer over the perianth of young buttons and developing nuts. It should cover the upper and lower surface of the leaves. Care should be taken to drench the target areas, viz., inflorescence and more particularly young buttons in pre and post fertilization stages. This treatment is repeated four times a year in which, two prior to monsoon and two after the monsoon at the interval of 25 – 30 days.

B. STEM INJECTION

In this method, 5 ml of Neem Raj Supreme is mixed with 5ml of water to make a concentrated emulsion. To each coconut tree a small hole is drilled at an angle of 45 degrees at 10 inch from ground level. The Neemraj concentrate solution is injected through this hole by using a long needle syringe. The whole is then sealed with wax after removing the needle. This treatment is also repeated four times in a year, two before monsoon and two after monsoon.

C. BASIN DRENCHING

Basins having a radius of 150 cm and 10 cm depth should be opened around the selected palms. Drenching of basins should be done using 5ml of Neemraj Supreme in 15 ltr. of water.

All above treatments are taken simultaneously four times a year, two before monsoon and remaining two after monsoon.

ADVANTAGES OF NEEM RAJ SUPREME:

1) Neem Raj Supreme is eco-friendly natural pesticide 2) It is totally biodegradable and leaves no residue 3) It does not develop any resistance and therefore can be used for a long time. 4) It is safe for human being as well as domestic animals 5) The frequency of application is less (4 times in a year) therefore cost effective.

Research Conducted under : Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye (Ratnagiri) Dr BSKKV Dapoli

Name and address of the sponsor : Neem India Pvt Ltd. Bio Product Division, Aurangabad

Objective : To evaluate the bio-efficacy of Neemraj Supreme against coconut eriophyid mite, a new introduced pest in Konkan.

Location : Farmers field at Mirya village of the Ratnagiri District (M.S.)

Replications : Five

No. of palms/treat. : One

Design : RBD

Fertilizers applied :

1. F.Y.M. 50 kg. /palm

2. Neem cake 5 kg / palm

3. Recommended dose Urea - 720 gm

(Dose in February) MOP - 600 gm

Treatments details: 1. Crown spraying of Neemraj Supreme (10000 ppm) @ 4 ml per litre of water 2. Root feeding of Neemraj Supreme @ 10ml + 10ml water 3.Drenching of Neemraj Supreme 5 ml in 15 litres of water 4. Drenching of Neemraj Supreme 15 ml in 15 litres of water 5. Control

Preparation of Neem Pesticide mixture with water for root feeding

Pouring of Neem pesticide in polybag

Selection of pencil thickness live root of coconut

Slanting cut given to selected root

Selected root inserted in polybag contents Neem pesticide

Tightened opening of polybag... ready to feed through root

Methodology :

The recommended doses of fertilizers were applied in the month of February The neem cake was also applied to the palms at the rate of 5 Kg per palm in in the month of February.

All the doses of pesticide applications were given through root feeding. For root feeding, the feeding roots (reddish brown coloured ) were dug out from a distance of 2 ft apart from the stem and given a slanting cut at the end. The measured quantity of pesticide solution along with water was taken in a 3 x 4 cm polythene bag and the root was immersed in a pesticide solution in a bag. The crown spraying was done with the help of hand sprayer by climbing on the tree. For drenching, the measured quantity of pesticide wad dissolved in 15 litres of water and applied to the palm.

Observations recorded: The following observations were recorded.

1) Total number of nuts on the third bunch of the observation palm

2) Number of infested nuts on the third bunch of the observation palm

3) One button from third bunch at every observation was plucked and

observed for eriophyid mite count.

The observations were recorded at every month interval.

Statistical analysis : The data of per cent infestation and eriophyid mite count was transformed in to Ö n+1 and then analyzed.

Damage by Eriophyid mite in coconut

File photograph of Eriophyid mite

Results :

Table 1 : Monthwise per cent infestation of coconut eriophyid mite

Sr. No.	Treatments	Pre-treatment obs.	Post-treatment observations
		Feb.05	Mar 05	April 05	May 05	Mean
1	Crown spraying @ 4 ml/ lit	66.70 (9.15)	14.86 (4.41)	3.15 (2.12)	2.87 (2.06)	6.96 (2.86)
2	Root feeding @ 10 ml + 10 ml Water	58.82 (8.59)	13.74 (4.68)	4.04 (2.27)	3.07 (2.10)	6.95 (3.01)
3	Drenching @ 5 ml in 15 litres of water	67.18 (9.19)	47.31 (7.88)	43.91 (7.58)	50.28 (8.09)	47.17 (7.85)
4	Drenching @ 15 ml in 15 litres of water	59.15 (8.67)	24.25 (5.90)	15.15 (4.88)	10.51 (4.21)	16.64 (5.00)
5	Control	72.13 (9.44)	63.08 (8.92)	64.42 (9.00)	70.65 (9.36)	66.05 (9.09)
	SE +	0.35	0.46	0.54	0.51	0.50
	CD at 5 %	NS	1.36	1.61	1.54	1.50

Figures in parenthesis are Ö n+1 values

Table 2. Monthwise eriophyid mite count / 4mm² area of the perianth

Sr. No.	Treatments	Pre-treatment obs.	Post-treatment observations
		Feb.05	Mar 05	April 05	May 05	Mean
1	Crown spraying @ 4 ml/ lit	133.80 (11.82)	20.00 (5.40)	10.60 (4.23)	9.20 (4.02)	13.27 (4.55)
2	Root feeding @ 10 ml + 10 ml Water	117.20 (11.80)	18.00 (5.15)	13.60 (4.65)	10.60 (4.19)	14.07 (4.66)
3	Drenching @ 5 ml in 15 litres of water	123.60 (12.06)	88.60 (10.36)	61.00 (8.66)	53.00 (8.14)	67.53 (9.05)
4	Drenching @ 15 ml in 15 litres of water	112.20 (11.00)	24.00 (5.84)	14.60 (4.80)	17.00 (4.97)	1.53 (5.20)
5	Control	133.40 (12.50)	164.00 (13.72)	155.00 (13.36)	155.00 (13.37)	155.8 (13.48)
	SE +	1.01	0.52	0.57	0.54	0.54
	CD at 5 %	NS	1.55	1.71	1.62	1.63

Monthwise percent eriophyid mite infestation was given in Table 1. Data revealed that the treatment, crown spraying of 4 ml Neemraj Supreme was the best treatment and it was at par with root feeding of Neemraj Supreme @ 10 ml in 10 ml of water. The drenching of 15 ml Neemraj Supreme was the next best treatment and was significant over drenching of Neemraj Supreme @ 5 ml and control.

Monthwise eriophyid mite count was given in Table 2. It was observed that the treatment crown spraying of 4 ml Neemraj Supreme was the best treatment and it was at par with root feeding of Neemraj Supreme @ 10 ml in 10 ml of water and drenching of 15 ml Neemraj Supreme in 15 litres of water. The drenching of Neemraj Supreme @ 5 ml was significant over control.