PEST MANAGEMENT IN FOREST NURSERIES

MAJOR PESTS

TERMITES

Termites are another important group of nursery pests. They feed on under ground rhizomes, roots and stem of forest tree species. Termite species responsible for injuries and damage in tree nurseries are Anacanthotermes macroceptalus, Macrosermes estherae, Odontotermes brunneus, O.feae, O.indicus, O.microdentatus, O.obesus, O.redemani, O.wallonesis, Miccrotermes incertoides, M.mycophagus and M.obesi. The tree species which have been reported to be damaged by termites in forest nurseries are Acacia spp., Barringtonia racemosa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus spp., Morus alba, Prosopis juliflora, P.spicigera etc.

NATURE OF DAMAGE

Termites cause wide spread damage to seedlings, cuttings of plantations, however the incidence and extent of damage varies from species to species and from locality to locality to locality. The damage occurs below the ground level mainly in the upper 20 cm of the soil layer by hollowing out or severely ring barking the tap root which results in the death of the seedlings. Incase of  cuttings, the underground woody portion is decayed and attacked by the subterranean termites. The affected seedlings show sign of yellowing, wilting and finally resulting in die back.

CONTROL MEASURES
The red ants collected from field and released on nursery beds destroy the termites. Drenching of motherbeds or propagation chambers or polybags with a solution of chlorpyrifos TC 20 @ 2ml/lit would control the termites effectively.