Recent list of chemicals recommended for the control of pests, diseases and weeds in Southern Indian Tea Plantations

摘要

Tea (Camellia Sinensns (L.) O.Kuntze ) in south India, is grown in an area of about 1,01, 620 ha, and the annual production is between 230 and 234 million kilograms. Nearly 50% of the production is exported to different countries, including those in the European Union. More than one thousand species of arthropod pests are known to attack tea all over the world, though only about 300 species of insects and mites are recorded from India. Nearly 400 pathogens are associated with tea globally but only 58pathogenic fungi are known to cause diseases in tea in this country (Muraleedharan and Selvasundaram, 2002). More than 165 species of weeds cause problems in young tea clearings, pruned fields and vacant patches of tea gardens in India. Crop loss due topests, diseases and weeds varies between 15 and 20 per cent. The magnitudes of losses are bound to be higher today in view of the increased production and productivity. Hence, to augment the productivity of tea and to protect the plants from pests, diseases and weeds, it is necessary to adopt plant protection measures using synthetic chemicals.