Pests Of Jatropha

Jatropha Curcas is gaining importance commercially as the demand of nonrenewable fuel sources increases greatly and also Jatropha is an environment-friendly energy plantation. Plantation of this plant is considered to be an outstanding fuel replacement and it is likewise very cost-effective compared to other fuels. Recently, Jatropha is dealing with some trouble with bugs and diseases. The bugs are categorized into two varieties: Pest that impact young plants and Pest that impact developed plants.

Young plant pests: Cutworm, Scarabeid Beetle, Army worm, Grasshopper.

Agrotis ipsilon: It is commonly referred to as Cut worm. This bug affects the seedlings and young Jatropha plants. If the plant is affected by the cutworm, the stem gets cut nearer to the soil surface and this will shrunk the plant entirely.

Control: This bug can be controlled by choosing the larva found around the plants or by mixing the bran, sawdust with insecticides.

Scarabaeid Beetle: This insect ruins the root of the young plant. Initially, the larva consumes the raw materials present in the soil and then pertains to the root. The larva attack might kill the entire plant.

Control: The plant with excellent resistance power can overcome the pest. For heavy attack, insecticides with elements carbosulfan and carbofuran can be utilized to eliminate the pest.

Army worm: Spodoptera litura existence can be recognized by biting in the leaves. The serious infection could completely kill the plants.

Control: Insecticides are utilized to control the bugs.

Grasshopper: This prevails bug discovered in a number of plants. Valanga nigricornis and Locusta migratoria widely assaults the plant. The pest typically assaults the young plant.

Control: The insecticides used betacyfluthrin, cypermethrin, thiodicarb, MIPC, and fipronil.

Pest observed in mature plants:

Pest of Stem: Ostrinia furnacalis, Xyleborus spp.

Ostrinia furnacalis and Xyleborus: This insect harms the Jatropha stem and it is widely seen in Indonesia. The stem assaulted by this pest normally drop. The presence can be identified by the larva penetration hole at the stem.

Control: The Insecticide generally utilized to manage this insect is carbofuran.

Pest of leaf: The typical insects are leaf caterpillar, Neetle caterpillar, Leaf hopper, Mite, Ear corn caterpillar.

Leaf Caterpillar: This pest can eat all the leaves of the plant simply put duration. The quality and yield of the seeds get minimized due to the heavy attack.

Control: This can be managed by choosing the old larvae around the surface and discarding the attacked leaves.

Needle Caterpillar: This caterpillar is covered with spines and produces a burning feeling when permitted to contact with skin as it produces particular chemical substance. Initially the pest crowded in the leaf and then spread out all over the plant when it gets older.

Control: Manually, the insect can be killed only by soaking it in water or kerosene. The heavy attack can be controlled by spraying organophosphate insecticides.

Leaf Hopper: This pest is found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. The pest targets the leaf and sucks all the nutrients of the leaf and gets curls at the idea. Later, the entire leaf dry and pass away.

Control: The heavy attack can be managed by utilizing insecticides like imidachloprid, beta cyfluthrin or carbosulfan.

Mite: Mite also attacks the leaf and makes the entire plant weak. The pest existence can be determined when the leaf become yellow-colored, shrinks, turns red and drop. The pest can likewise be spread through fallen leaves.

Control: Some preventive procedures can be done like appropriate sanitation and burning the fallen leaves. Heavy attack can be treated by spraying insecticides.

Some terrible bug which attacks flower and fruit are, Stink bug (Nezara viridula)

Chrysocoris javanus, Tip borer caterpillar.

Stink Bug: Sting bug is a severe pest which assaults the plant throughout bloom duration so the crop yield completely falls down. This bug is seen around the tropical area.

The harmful enzyme in the plant diminishes the entire plant.

Control: Insecticides advised for this bug is chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, alfamethrin, and lamda cyhalothrin.

Tip borer caterpillar: The bugs commonly takes place attacks the plant in flowering season and this pest is seen extensively in tropical areas. The female insect laid the eggs on the tender part of the plant and the young larvae feed the young fruits and plant pointers.

Control: Manually, the attacked seeds are suggested to burn. The insecticides like monocrotophos and bensultap are sprayed at the flowering season.