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Rubber latex to treat coconut mite disease

Aravindan

KOTTAYAM, March 7

APPLYING rubber latex on the `mandari' (coconut eriophyid mite aceria gurreronis) affected portions of coconuts would save the trees from this disease, according to Dr. K.C. John of the Catholicate College, Pathananthitta.

It is reported that about 224 lakh trees have been so far affected by the disease in Kerala. The real number would be much more, said a Government spokesman. Coconut production in the State would come down to 60-70 per cent.

The rubber latex acts as a coating to protect the tender nut from the mite entering the buttons.

The mite enters the tender coconuts to suck the sap from the soft tissues on buttons and it is spread mainly through the wind. For one-time spraying, one litre of solution would be sufficient. This would cost only Rs. 1.60 per tree.

Spraying the solution twice in alternate weeks would give sufficient protection for the nuts, Dr. John suggested. It has been found to be effective in the preliminary trials, he claimed. He also welcomed further studies on this by the Rubber Research Ins titute of India and the Coconut Development Board to identify rubber latex as an effective solution to mandari menace.

Enquiries reveal that the Rubber Research Institute has already written to the Kerala Agriculture University and the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute to undertake further work on this, offering free supply of rubber latex.

Latex being collected in a cup.