Mango is an important cash crop cultivated throughout the country, with commercial cultivation present in 22 districts. However, mangoes can be grown and yield fruit in all districts. Mango is a versatile fruit known for its nutritional value and taste. Due to climate change, new diseases and insect attacks are affecting mango orchards. The use of pesticides in mango orchards is increasing rapidly, with farmers often using them without proper knowledge.
It is crucial to create awareness about pesticide use to prevent potential future issues. Disease and insect infestations in mango orchards can vary from minor to extensive, and failure to control them can significantly reduce mango yield. While methods like plucking affected leaves, collecting and destroying insect eggs or larvae, and using nets can work for small-scale crops, insecticide spraying is essential for controlling diseases or pests in large trees like mango.
Mango yield depends on the number of buds or inflorescences on the tree. Therefore, if the mango buds are attacked by insects or diseases, the buds or flowers may be damaged, leading to reduced fruiting. It’s important to take urgent action by spraying pesticides as soon as a disease or insect attack appears on the buds.
There are 4 principles that must be followed when spraying any pesticide. These are selecting the right pesticide, determining the correct dose or rate, choosing the appropriate time, and following the proper procedure:
1. Selecting the Right Pesticide:
Choosing the right pesticide is a crucial step in controlling mango diseases or harmful insects effectively and cost-efficiently. Mistakes in pesticide selection can ruin the spray operation, resulting in wasted labor, time, and money, and defeating the original purpose. It is not advisable to rely on pesticide dealers for advice on whether to use a particular pesticide. Instead, it is recommended to seek guidance from local agriculturists, agricultural offices, or mango research centers for proper advice. It is also important to change the group of insecticides or fungicides used from time to time, rather than repeatedly using the same pesticide, as this may increase the resistance of insects or disease organisms.
2. Determining the Right Dosage:
It’s important to use the correct pesticide in the right amount. Applying too much or too little of the pesticide is not ideal. Without the proper dosage, effective disease or insect control is not achievable, and it can lead to increased pesticide resistance in disease germs or insects. Moreover, excessive use of pesticides is not only wasteful but can also have adverse effects on fruit trees. Therefore, it’s crucial to be cautious about the pesticide dosage. To achieve this, it’s essential to follow the instructions provided on the bottle or packet, as well as seek advice from agricultural scientists and workers.
3. Choosing the Right Time:
It is crucial to choose the right time for tending to mango trees. Completing tasks on time can help avoid extra labor and cost. The period from budding to fruiting is particularly important, and it’s essential to be vigilant against diseases and insects during this time. Taking prompt action is necessary to ensure that the mango tree bears fruit. The first spray should be applied to the mango tree approximately 10-15 days before budding in the mango orchard when the mango bud is 10-12 cm. A second spray should only be given after this stage. It is important not to spray after the buds have bloomed, as this can disrupt the pollination and fruiting process, which heavily relies on various species of flies. Additionally, herbicides should not be sprayed on trees at least two weeks before fruiting. It’s advisable to have the necessary resources such as money, workers, spray equipment, and medicine in stock before the buds appear on the trees, typically in January.
4. Following the Right Procedure :
After determining the appropriate medicine, dosage, timing, etc., it’s essential to ensure that spraying is done correctly to achieve the desired results. Simply spraying insecticides outside won’t be effective if the borer is located within the fruit or on the branch. To effectively control the mango hopper insect, it’s necessary to spray the leaves as well as the trunk. For proper disease or pest control, it’s advisable to consult the scientists at the local agriculture office or mango research center.
Before deciding to control any disease or harmful pest, consider the potential profit from such control. If the cost of control outweighs the monetary loss caused by the disease or pest attack, then spraying may not be reasonable. It’s not cost-effective to spray if the disease or pest infestation is low and unlikely to be fatal. Unnecessary spraying is a waste of money and labor. However, even if anthracnose or powdery mildew attack is not visible on mango buds, applying fungicide spray as a preventive measure is advisable if the weather is favorable for disease attack. Similarly, even if the presence of hoppers or suckers in mango buds is low, insecticides should be sprayed preventively, as these insects can multiply rapidly in favorable weather conditions and cause serious damage.
Caution:
Insecticides and fungicides are poisonous substances. Therefore, it is crucial to handle them with great care. Neglecting safety precautions can lead to accidents. It is essential for pesticide dealers to remind mango farmers about the necessary precautions when selling these products. When spraying any pesticide, the following precautions should be observed:
– Avoid direct skin contact with any pesticide. Use gloves if necessary.
– The person spraying the pesticide should wear a full-body apron, eye protection, and a cap or helmet. Closed-toe shoes are also recommended.
– Do not inhale or swallow any pesticide. Refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking while spraying.
– Take care to avoid contaminating ponds or other water sources during spraying.
– After spraying, wash the body and clothes thoroughly with soap.
– Keep food and animal feed away from the spraying area.
– Do not allow cows, goats, ducks, chickens, etc. to graze under the tree within 2 days of spraying, as they may be harmed by consuming grass or dead insects.
– When spraying, stand on the side of the tree that is downwind, if possible.
– Dispose of empty pesticide packets or bottles by burying them in the ground, avoiding reuse for any other purpose.
– Clean the spray equipment after use.
Mangoes should not be consumed within 15-20 days of spraying. Therefore, spraying on mango trees should cease 15-20 days before the mangoes are ready to be harvested.
All pesticides should be stored in a dry and cool place, securely locked and out of reach of children.
Preventive measures are more effective than curative measures in managing diseases and pests in mango orchards. By adhering to these guidelines, it will be possible to effectively and affordably control diseases and insects in the mango orchard and achieve a good yield. Furthermore, it is advisable for mango growers to coordinate spraying across all mango orchards in the same area simultaneously, as this is highly effective in insect control.
