Current Pest Problems in Fruit Crops and Future Needs
For many pests and diseases of fruit crops, chemical control strategies are available. As these are not compatible with sustainable farming, non-chemical management methods need to be developed. There is a need for development of more eco-friendly management methods in order to minimise residue problems, since fruits are directly consumed without cooking. The development of forecasting models and computer simulation of the same need to be taken up. Efficient prediction models should be developed. Identification of sources of resistance to pests and diseases has to be given importance. Wherever sources of resistance are already available, due emphasis should be given in breeding programmes to incorporate resistance in commercial cultivars of fruit crops. Studies on epidemiology including host range of the important pathogens and virus-vector relationship which would help in devising effective management strategies needs to be taken up. Studies on vector management should receive more emphasis in future. Crop loss assessment trials should be taken up and data on per cent loss in fruit yield, monetary loss per tree or hectare basis and per cent infestation or pest population should be generated. Studies on bioecology of major pests of fruit crops should be conducted in detail on host range, life tables, natural enemies, etc. Planned experiments should be conducted to test the effect of cultural methods on pest population and damage and the relationship of cropping systems with pest infestation especially on high density orcharding in either monoculture as in mango (Amrapali) or in polyculture as in mango + guava, mango + lemon, mango + papaya. The effect of plantation crops as intercrops in fruit crops, especially mango, on pest infestation needs to be studied. The impact of modem cultural practices on the population dynamics of key pests and their natural enemies, should also be studied. Work on biological control of especially fruit crop diseases needs to be intensified since not much work has been done on this aspect. Fungal bioagents such as Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, Ampelomyces quisqualis and bacterial bioagent Pseudomonas fluoresces should be evaluated. Proper sampling plan for estimating relative pest densities, appropriate transformation, proper analysis approach and interpretation of results should be developed. Studies on interaction between key pests and their natural enemies should be taken up. Damage threshold level/action threshold level for key pests of fruit crops should be worked out. Key mortality factors, vulnerable pest stages and critical crop growth stages should be identified. Quick pest detection techniques within the orchard should be developed. Allelochemicals (Allomones, Kairomones and Pheromones) should be exploited as components of IPM along with bioagents. Management of pest resistance to pesticides should be taken up. Studies should be initiated on enhancement of microbial degradation of commonly used soil pesticides. IPM strategies should be developed for key pests which are ecologically sound and socially rational.