Abstract

                                Pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis) attacks banana crop from 5th month of planting by adult female weevil inserting eggs into pseudostem cavities and emerging out grubs feed on the internal tissues. This weakens the pseudo stem leading to the collapse of the plant. The yield loss due to this pest is estimated as 10-30 per cent and in some cases, it may be up to 90 percent. Indiscriminate usage of chemical pesticides causes resistance in weevils and also results in pesticide residues. It is in this context that a field experiment was conducted to study the effectiveness of bio pesticide from Cassava leaf extract in controlling banana pseudostem weevil. Banana (var. Nendran) fields of 6 ha area scattered in three villages of Ernakulam district, Kerala wasselected to conduct the field study. The effect of cassava leaf extract biopesticide was compared with that of Chlorophyriphos. Data on pest incidence, crop damage, and yield were recorded. None of the plants damaged by the weevil in plants treated with biopesticide. Crop damage to the extent of 19.92 per cent was recorded in plants treated with Chlorophyriphos and 45.16 per cent of plants got damaged in plots where no treatment was done. The average increase in bunch weight by 52 per cent was recorded in plants treated with the biopesticide against 24 per cent increase in bunch weight in plants treated with Chlorophyriphos. Various extension methods were employed to popularize the technology and farmers’ responses were assessed and reported.

Key words : Cassava biopesticide; Odoiporus longicollis; Pest management; Plantains