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Management of Coconut Mite

Dr. Md. Nazirul Islam
Principal Scientific Officer (PSO)
Horticulture Research Station, Shibpur, Narshingdi

Md. Ishaqul Islam
Senior Scientific Officer
Entomology, Division, RARS/BARI, Jessore

Md. Ishaqul Islam
Senior Scientific Officer
Entomology, Division, RARS/BARI, Jessore

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Recently, coconut palms are found to suffer from mite attack. This problem has taken an epidemic turn in Jessore region and its adjacent districts. The mite injures the tender portion of young nuts and suck sap and initially the damage appears as a triangular yellowish brown patch extending distally on the fruit surface from beneath the perianth. The injury ultimately leads to warting and longitudinal fissures on the nut surface. The growth of nut is prevented and ultimately the usual size of the nut, shell, and kernel are reduced. Different cultural, chemical and botanical treatments and combinations of those were administered on the marked palms as the control measure treatments. A pre-prospecting survey was conducted for demarking the study area. The area was selected in the proximity of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), BARI, Jessore covering around 696 hectares land which includes 551 households of 8 villages. Coconut palms in the area were counted 4429 for the intervention. There were six treatments in the study which were deploying on strategically selected 90 palms. Other palms of the area were treated with 0.2% Omite (miticide) in an interval of two months. The palms were also treated by Neem cake through soil incorporation twice a year. After two years of intervention, each and every nut of the palms of the study area found without any sign of mite attack. Four hundred eighty farmers and 75 extension specialist had been trained on techniques of mite control and update cultivation of coconut.

Keywords: Coconut, Technical Knowledge, Coconut mite, Pest management

Location: RARS, BARI, Jessore

Start Date: 01-05-2011

End Date: 30-06-2014

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Fruit

Objectives:

To determine the pest management practices for controlling coconut mite.

To enhance the technical skills and knowledge of the participating farmers.

Methodology:

A multi-disciplinary three member research team, comprising of horticulturist, plant pathologist and entomologist was built for the investigation. An inception workshop was held at RARS, Jessore involving extension specialists of DAE, concerned BARI scientists, NGO workers and progressive farmers of the participating communities. A Farmers’ Participatory Research Appraisal (FPRA) survey was conducted for collecting community perceptions on economic loss of coconut due to mite. A filed assistant, designated as Scientific Assistant (SA) was recruited and posted in the study area. Training programs were organized for the participating farmers and trained on production and management of coconut. A pre-prospecting survey was conducted for demarking the study areas. A map of the area was used for demarcating boundary of site. Palms were selected for deployment of treatments in replication-wise. Necessary inputs and field equipments were procured. Affected palms were sprayed with Omite followed by removing of infected bunches and nuts. Three de-composting plant for making tricho-compost were established in the project site. Workshops and field day were organized involving farmers and local extension agencies for dissemination of the results of the project. Neem seed oil- extracted from Neem seed. It is commercially produced and used in Chapainowabgonj District of Bangladesh, Azadirachtin is the most active component for repelling and killing pests. Other components of Neem oil kill insects by hindering their ability to feed. It also interferes with insect hormone systems, making it harder for insects to grow and lay eggs. Neem cake-contains trace of oil, act as repellant of termite give excellent effect on plant growth and enable plant to fight against parasites on leaf environment (Rao, 1991). When decomposed and uptake, it enhance plant to biosynthesize of many hormones and enzymes and control metabolic pathways for growth and development of plant (Palma et al, 2009).

Source of Information: Project ID Number-(CN/FPR): C-11.1 Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.	Budget: 2650000.00

Total Budget (Tk.) : 2650000.00

Achievement/Findings:

The economic loss caused by mite in coconut sector was estimated 80% which is very discouraging to grow coconut. The technology has retained the lost yield of coconut due to mite attack and farmers has become happy and adopted the technology to grow coconut again. As a versatile crop, farmers get income directly from coconut as well as find employment opportunities through primary processing and value addition. Various kinds of fatty acids are the main component of coconut oil which requires carbon molecules for synthesis and metabolism process. Leaves, floral and fruit parts are eco-friendly recyclable fuels for the growers. A comparison of cost economics showed that cost per palm for mite management in first year was Taka 200.20. Income derived from palm per year was Taka 1540.00. Net income estimated in the first year 1379.80. Estimated benefit cost ratio was 6.00. All an average market price of a normal nut in the local market during the study period was Taka 20.00. Price of nuts harvested from the infested palms was Taka estimated 143.00. After intervention, nuts per palm were counted 50 to 216. Market price of which was estimated Taka 1540. Turnover of income per coconut palm due to the technology was Taka 1210.90 and estimated BCR value was 605. Total estimated loss of nut/palm/year due to mite was 79%. At second year of the study farmers sold tender coconut and harvest above 200 per palm. After three years of intervention, average nut/palm/year was counted 119-199. Application of Neem cake was found to increase edible portion without influencing the dry matter content of kernel. The results might indicate the effect of soil incorporated Neem cake was hormonal rather than nutritional.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings