Dear Mango farming Communities,
Emergence of mango mealy bug is expected to start from 3rd to 4th week of December, 2010 and start ascending on trees. Nymphs and adults puncture, suck sap from tender parts, reduce vigour, destroy inflorescence and cause fruit drop. They excrete sweet sticky substance which facilitates development of sooty mold. This pest has potential to cause severe economic loss to the mango crop if not timely management measures are initiated. Hence, this farmer advisory is issued. Farmers are advised to initiate the following actions for its timely management. The suggested strategies in this regard are as follows : - Polyethylene (400 gauge, 30 cms wide) banding of tree trunk as shown above at on height of 30cm from the ground level and application of 1.5 per cent chlorpyriphos dust @ 250g/tree around tree trunk in 3rd week of December. Apply grease at the lower edge of band.
- If nymphs have already started ascending on trees, spray carbosulfan (0.05%, 25 EC, @2ml/litre of water) or dimethoate (0.06%, 30 EC @ 2ml/ litre of water).