Emerging Pest Problems in Exotic Olive and Grower Specific IPM Modules for Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

About 34 insect species were found infesting olive orchards in UT of J&K Among them, olive psylla, Euphyllura pakistanica; olive black scale, Saissetia olea and tinged bug, Eteoneus sp. sigilatus Drake caused serious damage. The avoidable yield losses caused by all the pest species were 33 to 53%. On the basis of various field trials conducted neem insecticidal soap (NIS @ 2.5 %) and horticultural mineral oil (HP spray oil 2% of solution) were found effective against major pests. In case of severe infestation imidacloprid (17.8 SL) a.i. 0.075 % and cartap hydrochloride 4G @ 100g/ tree resulted in their efficient suppression. As such these treatments were incorporated in grower specific IPM modules evaluated for two years. Amongst the tested modules, integrated module (M1) followed by pesticide module (M3) were found most effective. However, for resource poor farmers and non-disruptive cultural module M1 and organic growers M2 could be alternatively practiced. It was concluded that for scale and psyllids, the insecticide protection is necessary but the infestation by lace bug could be managed by non-disruptive methods.