Trees in the orchard are dying. What are the causes for it and suggest control measures?
A. Trees of age above seven years are usually attacked by this pest – root and stem borer. This attack is severe in neglected orchards. The adult lays eggs at the base of the stem. The grubs bore in to the bark at the ground level and make tunnels inside. These tunnels can be noticed by the excreta, Wood powder and gum oozed out plugging the opening. The bark at these places has to be removed carefully then insert a wire in to these tunnels to extract the grubs. Apply 100 gm of Carbofuran or Phorate granules per tree. Apply Tar up to 1m from the ground on the stem of the trees or spray Neem oil to prevent egg laying. The trees have to be regularly examined in the rainy season after harvest for these grubs and destroyed.
