Nonchemical based integrated management package for live-wood eating termites in tea plantations of north-east India

Abstract

Live wood eating termites are responsible for considerable damage to young and mature teas throughout North-East India. Termite infestation leads not only to economic loss but also to the failure of several years of effort to grow tea plants. This study reveals the efficacy of various non-chemical approaches to control the termite problem in Assam tea plantation. Two multiplication field trials consisted of twelve non-chemical treatments were conducted following randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The trials revealed that Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Heterorhabditis indica and Ipomea carnea were effective in controlling the termites in tea compared to the check (thiamethoxam, a commonly used chemical pesticide against termites in conventional tea estates) as well as to control (untreated- water spray for both organic and conventional tea estates). Along with these non-chemical treatments, an integrated management package for termite control is discussed.