Pests status of coconut in managed and unmanaged garden

Abstract

The major pests incidence and intensity on coconut was recorded during fixed plot survey. It was carried out at bimonthly interval from April, 2018 to February, 2019 at Regional Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri jurisdiction. Two plots were selected for observations, one was well managed (good sanitation, use of fertilizes, etc.) and another unmanaged (poor sanitation, no use of fertilizers). The major pest status in managed garden was minimum which recorded rhinoceros beetle (25.73%), eriophyid mite (41.74%) and mite grade index 0.71. Whereas, maximum infestation of rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil and eriophyide mite were observed to be 30.31, 0.37, 71.70 per cent, respectively and mite grade index was 1.57 (moderate) in unmanaged garden. The average data of two fixed plots revealed that the incidence of rhinoceros beetle was in the range of 7.64 to 48.00 per cent and maximum infestation was observed in the month of June, 2018 (48.00%), and minimum incidence was observed in February, 2019 (7.64 %). The infestation of red palm weevil and black headed caterpillar were 1.11 and 0.64 per cent only in February, 2019. The infestation of eriophyid mite was in the range of 41.65 to 64.98 per cent and maximum infestation (64.98%) was noticed in the month of April, 2018 and least incidence was observed in October, 2018 (41.65%). The mite damage grade index 1.39 (moderate) was recorded in February, 2019. However, lowest MGI (0.67) was observed in October, 2018.