The flower panicles and fruit buds are drying. Suggest measures to control ?
A. This due to the sucking of the sap from new flush and flower panicles by Tea mosquito bug. These bugs become more active from the time of emergence of new shoots. White dried gum drops are seen at the point where the bug has suck the sap. The twig above this point shrivels and dries up. secondary infestation by fungus also occurs. To effectively manage this pest a schedule of control measures have to be taken up. First spray of Monocrotophos @ 1.6 ml / l has to be given at the time of new flush initiation i.e. around October. Second spray of Endosulphan 2ml /l mixed with Blitox @ 2gm / l has to be given at flower panicle emergence i.e. around November / December. The third spray of carboryl 1 gm / l mixed with Mancozeb 1gm / l has to be given when the nut is of Pea size.
