Practical Manual on Insect Pests of Fruits, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

The Horticulture production has become a key driver for economic development in many of the states in the country. India is globally, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and is the largest producer of mango, banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, pomegranate etc. and also largest producer & exporter of spices. Pests may also cause contamination of fruit at harvest, reducing its marketability. Pests on horticultural crops include insects and mites, nematodes, weeds and vertebrates. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is based on thorough consideration of ecological and economic factors. The pest, its biology and the type of damage it causes are some of the factors that determine which control strategies and methods, if any, should be used. Pest management decisions represent a compromise between the value of the product, the extent of the pest damage, the relative effectiveness and cost of the control measures, and the impact on the environment. Pesticide application refers to the practical way in which pesticides (including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or nematode control agents) are delivered to their target pests. Public concern about the use of pesticides has highlighted the need to make this process as efficient as possible, in order to minimize their release into the environment and human exposure. This book provides students with a clear and systematic working manual for Insect Pests of Fruits, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops besides providing a clear explanation of insect’s identification and damage symptoms.