Pestering issue - Now, groundnut attacked by moths and beetles

AHMEDABAD: After pink bollworm, farmers in Saurashtra are facing an attack of Prodenia (a moth species) and white grub (a beetle species). Around 25% of the area sown with groundnut has been affected by these two crop pests. Experts say Porbandar, Junagadh and parts of Amreli are badly affected by these two crop pests.
Around 20-25% of the groundnut crop in Saurashtra is infected with these worms that are eating the crop.Worried about the Prodenia and white grub infestations, Junagadh Agriculture University has also come out with a solutions to tackle these menaces. JAU authorities said that apart from spraying pesticides on neem and baval trees, which are breeding sites of these insects, the light trap method should also be used.
“If we are able to prevent breeding, one prevents 150 eggs from hatching and they can be controlled. Efforts to control Prodenia and white grub cannot be achieved alone. They have to be taken up simultaneously by all farmers in the village where the infection has begun. We have developed all kinds of met hods to save the crop,“ said V P Chovatia, the director of research at JAU.
Chovatia said there are reports that 20 to 25% of the groundnut crop is groundnut crop is infected with Prodenia and white grub.He said that the whi te grub is more dangerous as it first survives on organic substances in the soil and as its size increase it starts eating roots. When it grows, the grub begins eating stems, groundnut and even leaves, thus damaging the crop.“
Agriculture officials said that the two pests were first seen in Visavadar in 2007 and thereafter there have been sporadic infestations. This year, however, there have been several reports from across Saurashtra.
Sanjay Patel, a farmer from Kutiyana taluka of Porbandar district says: “I chose to sow groundnut but later realised that the crop was been infested with Prodenia and white grub. I think the entire crop will be destroyed.We are making every effort but almost 20% of the crop is already infested. Govind Nagar in Porbandar said: “We were told that all of us have to take precautionary measures together, but because a couple of farmers did not support the move, we find that several fields are infested. He said they had sprinkle pesticide mixed with sand and in the field. He said they are now using the light trap method, which is proving effective.“