Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI:Cashewnut growers in the State are facing burnt of cashew stem and root borer with state agriculture dept taking all measures to weed out the problem.
“In the State of Goa, Cashewnut is cultivated in an area of 56476 ha. Cashew Stem and Root borer (CSRB) is found to attack both adult and young cashew trees at the collar region. It causes more damage to the neglected plantation,” said Agriculture Minister Babu Kavlekar
The state government is taking steps such removal of dead trees and trees with advanced stages of infestation at least once in 6 months. Avoid exposing cashew roots. Application of coal tar on the stem upto 1mt height from ground twice a year during April and October, Smear lime on bark and crevices and mechanical removal of the immature stages (grubs) of the pest during stages of infestation.
He further said that the stem borer infection could be easily identified by the presence of small bore holes at the collar region, extrussion of frass through the holes at collar region, oozing of gum at the base of the cashew tree trunk, finally, yellowing and drying of the tree.
“The eggs of CSRB are whitish, oval in shape measuring about 3mm in length (looks like rice grains). The grown up grubs are off-white in colour measuring about 7-10cm in length, the adult is a medium sized, reddish brown, long horned beetle,”he said
Meanwhile, the minister said that permission to cut any tree is mandatory under Preservation of Tree Act (PTA), 1984 and to be obtained from the Forest Department. In case of Cashew tree, it is exempted but removal permission is to be obtained for transportation of firewood of Cashew.
