THE INFERENCE OF THE IMPACT OF RUGOSE SPIRALING WHITEFLY ON OIL PALM FRESH FRUIT BUNCH YIELD IN INDIA

Abstract

Rugose spiraling whitefly incidence is becoming a serious issue in the plantation crops of West and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India in the recent years. In oil palm nutrient draining due to continuous sucking of the cell sap by the nymphs and adults is the prime reason for loss of yield. Depending on the severity of the pest incidence, fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield losses varying between 20 – 45 per cent in the farmers’ fields at village levels and 30-42 per cent at mandal (an administrative division in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India) levels was observed at twelve months after the initiation of the incidence. Sooty mould fungus development on the honeydew secretions made the leaves become black and unfit for photosynthetic activity which could also be one of the causes for yield loss. Keywords: Rugose spiraling whitefly, Godavari districts, Andhra Pradesh, oil palm, sooty mould, honeydew.