20 Apr 10 Major pests of Groundnut and its management
मूंगफली के 10 महत्वपूर्ण कीट और उसका प्रबंधन Groundnut is an important oil seed crop out of the nine oilseeds crops grown in our country, Groundnut is the only crop cultivated in Goa during both the seasons. The major area under this remunerative crop [1437 ha] however is during the Rabi season. Groundnut crop is infested with sucking type of insects pests like aphids, leaf minor thrips leaf eating caterpillars, leaf webber etc in the initial and active growth stages. In the later stages, the crop may be attacked by pests like Groundnut earwig or pod borer which punctures the developing pods causing heavy damage. 1. Ground nut Aphid: Aphis craccivora Koch. Damage Ground nut aphid injects a powerful toxin into the plant while feeding and, when populations are large, this can stunt or kill plants. While feeding, this aphid produces a considerable amount of honeydew upon which sooty mold grows. The black sooty mold reduces photosynthesis and may make leaves unpalatable to livestock. Damage symptoms include yellowing, wilting, and dieback. In general, legumes can be seriously damaged, either by direct insect feeding or by the transmission of virus diseases (Rossette & Peanut strip virus.) Control inella septumpunctata,Menochilus sexmaculatus & Chrysoperla carnea keeps the pest under check. ( if 1 predator per plant no need of insecticide application.)...