Diagnosis of Rugose Spiralling White fly in Oil palm by KVK, Bhadradri Kothagudem Scientists at Dammapeta, Aswaraopeta on 05-01-2021
KVK, Bhadradri Kothagudem diagnostic team of scientists lead by Dr. V. Lakshmi Narayanamma, Programme coordinator has visited oil palm orchards at Dammapeta, Aswaraopeta and Sattupalli mandals on 05.01.2021.The farmers has reported oil palm crop was affected with Rugose Spiralling White Fly. The team of scientists, Dr. M. V. Prasad, Principal Scientist (Extn.), Dr. Amrutha Laxmi, Scientist (Plant Pathology) from Indian Institute of Oil palm Research, Pedavegi, Dr. V. Lakshmi Narayanamma, SMS (Ento.) and Dr. B. Shiva, SMS (Horti.) from KVK, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Sri Jinugu Maryanna, DHO, Bhadradri Kothagudem and group of farmers of the village visited Oil palm, Coconut orchards, and diagnosed Pest incidence in Oil palm and also diagnosed severe boron deficiency. The scientists team has observed the following symptoms of damage.
- Egg spirals of rugose spiraling whitefly on the underside of leaves
- Presence of heavy white, waxy material
- Presence of sticky honeydew around the whitefly infested area
- Black sooty mold formation
- Leaf damage and early leaf drop (not evident on all types of plants)
The team has recommended that Effective monitoring is extremely important in order to keep populations below ETL. At the initial stage of infestation, pressure washing with water can be effective in reducing pest populations; however, it must be repeated at regular intervals, as it removes many of the egg mass and immature stages from the hosts (and care must be taken not to damage plants). Application of 1 % starch solution on leaflets to flake out the sooty moulds. In severe case, spray neem oil 0.5 %. Neonicotionoid insecticides can be applied with foliar, soil or trunk applications. Rice grain based formulation of entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria fumosorosea were distributed among farmers for the augmentation in severely infested places. Besides, farmers and department officials were demonstrated the foliar application method for Isaria fumosorosea, its mode of action and virulence of this pathogen against the rugose spiralling whitefly.
