ERIOPHYID MITES (ACERIA GUERRERONIS) ON COCONUT
PLANTATIONS IN SOUTH INDIA

INTRODUCTION

Eriophyid mite on coconut was first identified in the year 1960 in Mexico. It is believed to spread gradually from Mexico to South America, Caribbean region and Western Africa during late seventies and early eighties. It reached Sri Lanka and South India during 1998. The eriophyid mite was first identified in India by CPCRI (Central Plantation Crops Research Institute) in 1998.

Eriophyid mites are microscopic having an elongated worm-like body. The size of an adult mite is around 250 micron (about one fourth of a millimeter). These mites have finely ringed body and bear two pairs of legs at the anterior end. Eriophyid mite has well developed mouth parts which enables for piercing and sucking. [Click for Pic]

LIFE CYCLE & SYMPTOMS

The life cycle of the eriophyid mite is 7 to 10 days. Single female can lay around 200 eggs under favorable environmental conditions. From egg stage the mite has to cross two nymphal stage to reach adult stage. The mite colony lives in the floral bracts and the tender portion of the developing nuts (1 to 5 months old) covered by perianth. Eriophyid mites migrate or spread to other place mainly through wind. Honey bees and other insects visiting inflorescence of coconut also carries and disperse the mites to newer targets.

Appearance of elongated white lines on tender nuts (15 to 25 days old) is the initial symptom of the mite attack. Appearance of a pale yellow triangular patch on 30 to 45 days old nuts confirms eriophyid mite infestation. [Click for Pic] Generally, the initial white line symptom in 15 to 25 days old nuts is very difficult to identify. Hence the Pale Yellow Triangle or Brownish Triangular Patches (BTP) appearance in 30 to 45 days old nuts are considered as initial symptoms for practical purpose. This yellow triangle patch will turn into brownish colour and appears as a warting and longitudinal fissures on the matured nut surface in the later stage (3 or 4 months onwards). [Click for Pic]

ERIOPHYID MITES IMPACT ON ECONOMICAL LOSS

The sudden outbreak of eriophyid mites in coconut plantations has threatened the very survival of the copra industry in South India. Severe infestation of eriophyid mites during early stages of nut results in damage to the tender tissues and copra, size reduction, shedding of button and heavy yield loss. According to a Central Government Expert Committee Survey, the percent infestation of eriophyid mites in Kerala was 50 to 60 %; Tamil Nadu 40 - 50 %; Karnataka 25- 30 % and in Andhra Pradesh 10 - 20%. [Click for Pic]

RECOMMENDATION AND METHOD OF APPLICATIONS

Crown spraying (or) spot application, root feeding and stem injection are the three types of pesticides application methods in coconut plantations of South India. Root feeding and crown spaying of chemical pesticides like Monocrotophos, Triazophos, Carbosulfan and Dicofol are widely recommended by various agricultural universities.

NEED FOR SAFER APPROACH

Coconut plays a vital role in South Indian’s food and medical values. Toxic residues of chemical pesticides on the oil crops like coconut persist for longer period in the kernel, copra and tender coconut water affects the users adversely. To avoid problems, Agricultural Universities and Organizations (CPCRI) started identifying a biological solution to check the eriophyid mites in 1999.

After conducting a full fledged study both in laboratory and field conditions, major institutions such as Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore; Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellayani; University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore and CPCRI, Kayankulam have found Parrys Azadirachtin formulations are the best biological products to check the eriophyid mites problem effectively.

PARRYS AZADIRACHTIN RECOMMENDATIONS

Central Plantation Crop Research Institute, Kayankulam, has tested Parrys Azadirachtin 10,000 ppm as crown spraying against eriophyid mites on coconut. CPCRI has recommended Parrys Azadirachtin by including it in their Package of Practices published for coconut mites control. CPCRI has recommended 4 ml/ litre of Parrys Azadirachtin in their POP. Currently, CPCRI is testing Parrys Azadirachtin 5% WSC in root feeding mode. The initial indications are very encouraging.

Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore have also tested Parrys Azadirachtin against coconut mites in crown spraying method and found very effective control of mites. According to KAU findings in addition to eriophyid mites Parrys Azadirachtin has controlled the red palm weevil and mealy bug also. The Vice Chancellor, TNAU has recommended two rounds of Parrys Azadirachtin crown spraying in his recommendation package. Both KAU and TNAU have found very effective results in 3ml and 5 ml Parrys Azadirachtin per litre of water as crown spray respectively. Studies are on in KAU with Parrys Azadirachtin 5 % in root feeding mode against coconut mites this year. The initial indications are encouraging

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore has conducted a study with Parrys Azadirachtin 5 % in stem injection mode and found effective control of eriophyid mites as well as Black Headed Caterpillar in 5 ml and 7.5 ml per tree dosage respectively.

EID Parry has conducted extensive field trial work with the in house technical team in and around Pollachi since November 1999. Around 2000 trees were taken for this study. Parrys Azadirachtin (Crown spraying) [Click for Pic] and Parrys Azadirachtin (Root feeding & Stem injection) [Click for Pic] & [Click for Pic] has given very effective control of mites i.e. around 80 - 90 % and 70 - 80 % control respectively.

Parrys Azadirachtin APPLICATIONS

METHOD OF APPLICATIONS

Crown Spraying: The required volume of the product has to be taken and mixed with water and poured in a Ganesh Hand Sprayer and sprayed on the affected portion as well as apex or top portion of all the nuts. The spray fluid volume per tree is 2 litres approximately.

Root Feeding: A pencil size thickness and orange coloured root has to be taken and cut in the middle portion. A slanting cut should be made at the end portion of the root. A small plastic cover has to be taken and the recommended dosage of the product should be poured inside. The root should be placed inside the cover by keeping the tip of the root touching the bottom of the fluid. The cover should be tied carefully at the top portion. The fluid will be absorbed with in 10 to 15 hrs of application.

Stem Injection: A small hole should be made with a help of hand driller (4mm thickness) and the recommended level of fluid should be taken in a syringe and placed in the hole. The fluid will be absorbed by the tree with in 24 hrs time.