Coimbatore: Researchers from Coconut Research Centre have advised farmers to avoid insect repellants and adopt natural methods to kill pests that affect coconut trees here.
Coimbatore: Researchers from Coconut Research Centre have advised farmers to avoid insect repellents and adopt natural methods to kill pests that affect coconut trees here.
Recently, coconut trees in Pollachi and nearby areas were found infected with spirally whitefly. These whiteflies multiply by laying eggs under the coconut leaves and they get transported in the wind, affecting several coconut farms here.
These insects affect the yield and growth of the plant. Though farmers used various insecticides, they couldn’t stop the multiplication of these insects.
However, researchers have now advised farmers to preserve dragonflies that feed on these white insects. Dragonflies preys upon whiteflies and researchers found it has controlled the attack by white insects on coconut trees here. Researchers have now advised farmers to adopt such natural methods instead of insecticides to protect coconut trees.