Jute and Allied Fibre Crops

Abstract

Mealybugs are injurious to fibre crops like jute (Corchorus capsularis & Corchorus olitorius), mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa & Hibiscus cannabinus), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima), sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and kapok/silk cotton (Ceiba pentandra). The mealybug infestation in India went up to 80 % in case of jute. In India, the mealybug species Ferrsia virgata (Cockerell), Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Pseuducoccus filamentous (Cockerell) and Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley are known to attack jute. Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) and Ph. solenopsis are also reported on mesta. Paracoccus marginatus has been reported on silk cotton in south India. In the Caribbean islands, sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has been reported to be damaged by mealybugs. In Bangladesh, F. virgata is known as a pest of jute causing the formation of barky fibre. Sprays of methyl demeton at 0.2 % were found highly effective in controlling populations of M. hirsutus on roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is a very good candidate for the biological control of M.hirsutus and F.virgata, and this predator can be utilised for the suppression of mealybgs. Acerophagus papayae can be utilized for the control of P.marginatus and so also Aenasius bombawale for Ph.solenopsis in fibre crops