Pest attack hits mango crop in UP, quality at risk
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Lucknow: A sour deal awaits mango lovers this season as a widespread pest attack has affected crops in various parts of Uttar Pradesh. The rising temperatures are believed to be contributing to the pest issue, which can lead to scarring, reduced market value and compromised taste.
The attack comes at a critical time when mangoes are growing in size, making them more vulnerable to damage.
Despite the fruit size being better than previous years, the pests — including the 'dudwa' or paired fruit borer and 'cutter' (humpback caterpillar or semilooper) — are affecting mangoes in Malihabad and other parts of the state, potentially impacting the fruit's quality and yield.
Director, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), T Damodaran, said that while mango leaves have hardened by now, insects are laying eggs on fruits, which are still developing, or on their stalks.
"These pests thrive when temperatures rise. It was the trend last year also," he said, adding that fruits covered with protective bags are at a lower risk.
For farmers who cannot afford bagging of fruits, as a single piece may cost around Rs 20, scientists recommend insecticides and sprays, but at specific spots where pests are active, or they may scatter for a while and come back again. Like semilooper, which releases a fine thread from its mouth and hangs down from the tree when disturbed by strong winds, rain or pesticides.
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While the larvae may die in the process, the larger insects may crawl back.
There is, therefore, the need to spray on tree trunks as well.
The paired fruit borer is active between two mangoes or within fruit clusters, laying eggs and multiplying at the junction where two fruits touch each other, while semilooper is laying eggs on fruits which have tender skin and stalks. The larvae scrape and feed on the skin of the fruit, leaving it scarred and with holes, said the director.
The infestation grows with a rise in temperature, and if not controlled early, it becomes difficult to manage, he added.
However, some precautions can keep them away, like bagging the fruits, light but frequent irrigation, mulching the tree basin with dried leaves and 'canopy management' of old trees so that their height is reduced and they are easier to manage.
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