SALALAH -- The Agriculture Research Station Salalah has decided to put concerted and integrated efforts to tackle the issue of coconut mite. After making good progress under a five-year programme, the Research Station has extended the programme for one more year, as an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is in place with emphasis on biological control using predators etc. The mite problem is being tackled strategically by understanding the coconut mites' ecology, distribution and business as also by developing good plant protection and production practices.
Among other methods being adopted by the researchers is plantation of 11 new varieties of coconut. These new varieties were brought from Cote de'Ivoire (South Africa) and planted during the last Khareef season. With this the agriculture scientists are hoping good quality coconuts in terms of quality and quantity in the years to come, as these varieties of coconut are mite resistant. In the meantime, the agriculture research centre has successfully tackled the mite issue by adopting scientific measures and raising awareness among the farmers.
According to Anwar Ahmed Bait Fadhil, "We did intensive research after the coconut mite attack and found the varieties from Cote de'Ivoire mite resistant and comparatively better in farm output. The success rate of these plants is also encouraging," he said. "We are trying to convince the farmers about new methods through presentations, direct contact, workshops and seminars. We take part in programmes, activities and awareness drives for farmers. The experts from the ministry explain ways to improve farm productivity, proper use of fertlisers and pesticides as also tackling the problems of coconut mite and papaya mealybug," said Bait Fadhil.
Anwar put emphasis on the fact that the mite attack on coconut was limited only to the fruit bark and not at all on the pulp and its milk. "It is a kind of cosmetic issue with the coconut, as the fruit remains tasty, sweet and healthy despite the mite attack." The coconut mite or Aceria guerreronis Keifer attacks young fruits of the coconut palm, to which it is almost exclusively confined. The mites are small but they often build up extremely large and dense populations. They use the bark as their food which causes scarring and distortion of the fruits and in some cases cause premature fruit drop. The mite was first reported in Gurrero, Mexico and now found in most of the coconut producing areas in South Asia, Central and South Africa, including the Gulf region. In Dhofar it was reported in the late 1980s. "Agriculture scientists from all the affected countries are sharing information with each other to handle the issue in a positive manner," said Anwar.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
