Farmers in Pollachi and Anaimalai taluks, Coimbatore have urged the state government to come up with a solution to manage a whitefly (Rugose Spiralling Whitefly) pest attack on coconut trees. The whitefly sucks the sap from beneath the leaves, depriving the host plant of all water and nutrients.
The fly's honeydew attracts ants, which promotes fungal growth surrounding the damaged plant. The sapling's photosynthetic efficiency is also harmed by this sooty mold.
A coconut farmer from Kanjampatti in Pollachi, KS Balachandran, said, "In my 50-acre farmland, I grew a coconut crop for 35 acres. However, the whitefly invasion has now reached every tree in the area."
"Chemical pesticides were proposed by the agriculture department and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University to kill the insects, but the chemicals would have a long-term effect on development and yield, so we avoided them."
According to him, the whitefly attack has recently lowered the weight of copra from 500 grams to 350-400 grams.
“Throughout the year, whiteflies have been attacking the coconut crops. However, it became more intense in February. Apart from chemicals, it was also suggested that we spray water on the coconut leaves. This, however, is not achievable for all trees."
"To control the onslaught, I currently have a yellow sheet laced with castor oil tied to ten trees 2 feet above the ground. But the insects move on to another farm nearby," he added.
The president of the United Coconut Growers Association of South India, TA Krishnasamy, has urged the government to take action to conserve the region's coconut trees.
“Even when a farmer has sprayed pesticides, whiteflies reappear once the effect has worn off. Other farmlands where chemicals have not been utilized are attacked by whiteflies.”
“As a result, all farmers must spray pesticides at the same time in order to properly plug the attacks. This can only happen if the government directs it," he said.
