white stem borer killing arabica coffee plants Chikmagalur how to manage
How to control coffee white stem borer in arabica in Chikmagalur?
GGirish1yr ago · 446 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓1yr ago
White stem borer is the most serious pest of arabica coffee, with grubs tunnelling into the main stem and roots, ringing the plant and causing wilting and death, and robusta is far more tolerant. Since there is no easy chemical cure once grubs are inside, management is cultural and timed. Maintain proper shade as exposed sun lit stems attract egg laying borer beetles. Scrub and trace the main stem to remove eggs and young grubs during the two main beetle flight periods around April to May and October to November. Uproot and destroy badly infested plants with the root before the new beetles emerge. Swab or band the lower stem as recommended during flight periods. Keep the plantation clean and follow the Coffee Board advisory for timing.
MMohan1yr ago
Shade is the real key in Chikmagalur. The borer attacks the sun exposed arabica stems most. Where I keep good overhead shade the borer is much less. Stem scrubbing at the flight times also helps.
RRavi Shastry1yr ago
Uproot the dead and badly bored plants and burn them before the beetles come out, otherwise they spread to healthy plants. It hurts to remove them but it saves the block. Robusta hardly gets hit.