Pests
Fruit flies (Bactocera cucurbitae)
Fruit fly maggots feed on the internal tissues of the fruit causing premature fruit
drop and also yellowing and rotting of the affected fruits. This fly is difficult
to control because its maggots feed inside the fruits, protected from direct contact
with insecticides.
Control: Apply carbaryl 10 % DP
in pits before sowing of seeds to destroy the pupae. Breaking of soil to expose
pupae, and burning the soil in pit by dried leaves are also effective. Bury any
infested fruits to prevent the build up of fruit fly population. Covering the fruits
in polythene/paper covers helps to prevent flies from laying eggs inside the fruits.
It can also be effectively controlled by the use of banana fruit traps prepared.
Epilachna beetle (Epilachna spp.)
The yellowish coloured grubs and adults of the beetle feed voraciously on leaves
and tender plant parts, and the leaves are completely skeletonized leaving only
a network of veins. When in large number, the pest causes serious defoliation and
reduces yield.
Control: Remove and destroy egg
masses, grubs and adults occurring on leaves. Spray carbaryl 0.2 %.
Pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora fevicolis, A. cincta
and A. intermedia)
Adult beetles eat the leaves, makes hole on foliage and causes damage on roots and
leaves. Grubs cause damage by feeding on root. It also feeds on flowers and bores
into developing fruits that touch the soil.
Control: Incorporate carbaryl 10%
DP in pits before sowing the seeds to destroy grubs and pupae..
Aphids (Aphis gossypi )
Aphids in large number congregate on tender parts of plant and suck sap
resulting in curling and crinkling of leaves. Ants carry aphids from one plant to
another.
Control: Apply 1.5% fish oil soap.
First dissolve soap in hot water and then make up the volume. Alternatively apply
dimethoate 0.05%.
Diseases
Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora
cubensis)
Cottony white mycelial growth is seen on the leaf surface. Chlorotic specks can
be seen on the upper surface of the leaves. It is severe during rainy season.
Control: Complete removal and destruction
of the affected leaves. Spraying 10 % solution of neem or kiriyath preparation.
If the disease incidence is severe spraying mancozeb 0.2% will be useful.
Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum
)
The disease appears as small, round, whitish spots on leaves and stems. The spots
enlarge and coalesce rapidly and white powdery mass appears on the upper leaf surface.
Heavily infected leaves become yellow, and later become dry and brown. Extensive
premature defoliation of the older leaves resulting in yield reduction. High humidity
and heavy dew increase the severity of the disease.
Control: Control the disease by
spraying Dinocap 0.05%.
Mosaic
Mosaic disease is characterized by vein clearing and chlorosis of leaves. The yellow
network of veins is very conspicuous and veins and veinlets are thickened. Plants
infected in the early stages remain stunted and yield gets severely reduced. White
fly (Bemisia tabaci) is the natural vector of this virus.
Control: Control the vectors by
spraying dimethoate 0.05%. Uprooting and destruction of affected plants and collateral
hosts should be done. Harvesting can be done only after 10 days (at least) of insecticide/fungicide
application. The fruits should be washed thoroughly in water before cooking.
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