Seasonal occurrence and ecofriendly management of pests of black pepper (Piper Nigrum L.)

Abstract

Seasonal occurrence of the pests of black pepper was studied in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 2002 to April 2003. Pollu beetle adults were present in the field throughout the year. Maximum population was observed during first fortnight of November 2002. There was significant negative correlation between the pollu beetle population and maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. Leaf damage by pollu beetle was maximum during second fortnight of November 2002. Significant negative correlation was obtained between leaf damage by pollu beetle and maximum temperature. The intensity of leaves damaged was maximum during first fortnight of December 2002. The relationship was significantly positive with maximum temperature and negative with relative humidity. Spike and berry damage by pollu beetle was maximum during the first and second fortnight of February 2003. There was significant negative correlation between spike and berry damage and minimum temperature. The top shoot borer damage had a significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and maximum damage was observed during second fortnight of ovember 2002. The damage of leaf gall thrips on leaves had significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. Maximum damage on leaves was observed during the month of April 2003. Intensity of damage by scale insects on vines had significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and maximum damage was observed during first fortnight of April 2002.

Eight botanical pesticides including their combinations were evaluated with quinalphos 0.05 per cent as a check against pests of black pepper in a field experiment in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 2002 to February 2003. Three sprays of the treatments were applied one each at spike emergence, berry formation and at berry maturation stage. In general, the treatments were effective and superior to control in containing the pests. Quinalphos 0.05 per cent treatment afforded maximum protection against all the pests of black pepper studied in the trial. Among the botanicals, nee m seed oil soap emulsion two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanja oil one per cent offered maximum protection followed by nee m seed oil soap emulsion at two and three per cent plus garlic two per cent. Clerodendron leaf and flower extract eight per cent was the least effective botanical. The yield of dried pepper was the maximum in quinalphos 0.05 per cent treated vines followed by neem seed oil soap emulsion two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanja oil one per cent and neem seed oil soap emulsion three per cent plus garlic two per cent and neem seed oil soap emulsion two percent plus two per cent garlic. , The benefit: cost ratio was maximum for the treatment, neem seed oil two per cent plus garlic 'two per cent (3.20) followed by neem seed oil two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanj oil one per cent (3.11). Three sprays of either of the above botanical combinations, one each at spike emergence, berry formation and at berry maturation stage can be recommended as an ecofriendly pest management strategy in black pepper