The white fly sucks the sap from the underside of the leaves. This causes the plant to lose all its water and nutrients. When the flies suck the sap of the plant, the infestation of ants increases. The presence of ant increases the number of fungus around the affected plant. This affects the growth and productivity of the plant.
Farmers are now demanding help from the government.
Image Credit source: TV9 (file photo)
Farmers of Tamil Nadu (FarmersThese days the coconut tree is troubled by the attack of white flies. Coconut Farming (Coconut FarmingAfter the attack of flies, farmers have sought help from the government. Agriculture Department (Agriculture Department) has advised spraying of chemical drugs, but farmers are avoiding it. He says that if we spray then productivity will be affected and its effect will be seen in future also. In such a situation, the government should find a permanent solution, so that the crop does not suffer.
The white fly sucks the sap from the underside of the leaves. This causes the plant to lose all its water and nutrients. When the flies suck the sap of the plant, the infestation of ants increases. The presence of ant increases the number of fungus around the affected plant. This affects the growth and productivity of the plant.
KS Balachandran, a coconut farmer, told The New Indian Express that I had cultivated coconut in 35 acres out of my 50 acres of land. But now not a single tree is spared from the attack of the white fly. The Agriculture Department and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University are suggesting to use chemical insecticides to kill the insects, but the chemicals will affect the growth and yield permanently, so we avoid them. He said that the white fly attack has recently reduced the weight of copra from 500 grams to 350-400 grams.
Flies attack intensified in February
He said that white fly attack has been happening throughout the year. However it intensified from February onwards. We were also suggested to sprinkle water on coconut leaves apart from chemicals. But, this is not possible for all trees. We try to stop the attack by conventional means, but it takes a lot of time. Some make arrangements to stop the attack on the tree, till then the pests attack the other tree.
United Coconut Growers Association of South India President TA Krishnasamy urged the government to take steps to save the coconut trees in the area. He said that even after a farmer sprays insecticides, white flies return after the effect subsides. Not only this, white flies attack other farms where chemicals have not been used. So as a joint effort it would be better for all the farmers to spray insecticides at the same time to prevent the attacks. This can be possible only with government instructions and help.
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Source: www.tv9hindi.com
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