SESSION—VII - PEST MANAGEMENT

The Keynote Address on ‘Pest Problems in Mango’ was read by Dr. G. K. Veeresh, who highlighted the major pest problems and emphasized the need to work on other than chemical control.

It was stressed that priority should be given to detailed studies on mango nut weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) and fruit fly (Dacus dorsalis) keeping in view the problems faced by the processing industries and export agencies.

Sufficient work has been done in India on chemical control of mango hoppers and now efforts should be made to study and exploit the natural enemies for effective pest management.

Proper methodology should be developed for screening mango germplasm against shoot gall psylla. Also, there is need to study the biotic control agents and to exploit them in effective management of this pest.

The actual status of various insects and other arthropods associated with mango should be investigated and greater attention given to organism that are destructive to the crop. Pollinating insects should be conserved and protected.

While exchanging mango germplasm from one country to another or from one region to another within a country, strict quarantine measures should be followed to check the spread of pests and diseases. In view of the pest problems associated with the mango crop in Southern and Northern India, it is advisable to preserve the germplasm of the varieties found in these two regions separately.

There is need to carry out research on development of spraying equipment for spraying tall mango trees.

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