Pest Management in Chilli Crop using UAL Organic Based Products

Chilli is a multifunctional crop that has many uses, such as food, medicine, and seasoning. However, its production is hampered by insect pests that reduce the yield. Thrips, mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies infest the chilli plants from the seedling stage to the harvest stage, causing severe damage. Farmers resort to chemical pesticides to control these pests, but this leads to harmful effects on the environment and other living beings. Therefore, there is a need for alternative solutions, such as biopesticides, that are safe, reliable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. Biopesticides have proven to be effective in controlling pests and enhancing crop growth.

List of Pest

1. Thrips
2. Mites
3. Leaf Eating Caterpillar
4. Whiteflies

1. Thrips

Scientific name: Scirtothrips dorsalis

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf and Fruit

Symptoms of Thrips Damage

• Thrips are the sucking pest, which feed on sap due to the leaves being wrinkled and curl upwards, petioles are elongated.
• Infected buds are brittle and drop off.
• Early infestation causes stunted growth and reduced flower production, fruit set.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

2. Mites

Scientific name: Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf and Fruit

Symptoms of Mites Damage

• Mites are also sucking pests, here we can observe downward curling of leaves shows boat shape appearance.
• Affected leaves become brittle and blister patches are seen on the lower surface of leaves.
• When mites feed on leaves, petiol becomes elongated and looks like rat tail.
• At severe infestation plants are stunted and die soon.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

3. Leaf Eating Caterpillar

Scientific name: Helicoverpa armigera

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf and Fruit

Symptoms of Leaf Eating Caterpillar Damage

• Young instar feeds on leaves initially.
• Grown up larvae mainly feed on fruits by thrusting their head inside the fruit and remaining half body will be outside.
• Fecal material present in the fruits is the identical sign of this pest.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

4. Whiteflies

Scientific name: Bemisia tabaci

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaf 

Symptoms of Whiteflies Damage

• This is also a sucking pest, they feed on plant sap and phloem tissues
• Nymph and adults secrets a honeydew like substance, on which a black sooty fungus will grow, that hampers the photosynthesis
• Whiteflies are vectors of leaf curl, gemini and mosaic viruses.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

Products

1. Xymo Bugtrol
2. Xymo Ultra Spectrum
3. Zymo  Max Spread

Compared to chemical or chemically-derived pesticides, biopesticides are generally safer for people and the environment. The primary advantages of biopesticides in pest management in agriculture are their environmental safety and host specificity. Along with it  a spreader and a micronutrient called helps to proper spreading of spray solution on sprayed body and improves plant growth and  metabolism  respectively.

1. Xymo Bugtrol: This is available in liquid formation. Product is a unique combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• Major benefits of Xymo Bugtrol is that it is very effective on all types of insects and it works as a broad-spectrum pesticide, this is recommended for all crops and mainly targets beetles and sucking insects.
• Mode of Action paralyzes the nervous system by hampering movement/flying and feeding. Recommended dose is 1.5 ml/lit.
• Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Max Spread can be sprayed as a prophylactic control whereas  Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Max Spread is applied immediately after the infection of insect, if the infestation is severe take another spray at 5-7 days  interval to manage all sucking pest of Chilli.

2. Xymo Ultra Spectrum: This is available in liquid formation,  which is a combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• This bio pesticide is recommended for all crops against worms. 
• It mainly targets the larval stage of insects. Paralyze the nervous system of insects and hampers movement/flying and feeding. 
• Recommended dose is 1-2 ml per liter of water
• If  Xymo Ultro Spectrum + Xymo Max Spread applied before an attack of a leaf eating caterpillar   can manage the infestation. 
• After the infestation Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Max Spread can control the population of all sucking pests and  Leaf Eating Caterpillars of Chilli. If infestation is more, take a second spray at a 5-7 days interval.

3. Xymo Max Spread: This is available in liquid form, which is helpful for uniform spreading of biopesticide on sprayed areas. This can be used for all crops. It breaks down the surface tension of water and increases the wetting and spreading of a spray solution.

• Xymo Max Spread can also be used in combination with other products from UAL, it is a super spreader used in agriculture to increase the efficiency of all spray solutions and for soil applications. 
• It is non-ionic in nature and organic. It is an Indian NPOP approved input and therefore can be used in organic agriculture too.
• The dosage of Xymo Max Spread depends on the mode of application. For tank mix solution, it is recommended to use 0.10 ml / L of water (i.e. 10 ml / 100 L). For drip irrigation, it is suggested to use 25 ml / 200 L of water / acre.

Certification : UAL offers creative and eco-sustainable solutions for agriculture, aquaculture, and animal feed and farm sectors and it is a leading company in the manufacture and marketing organic bio-solutions under the brand names ZYMO® and XYMO® series, which are certified by various international and national standards for organic agriculture, such as OMRI,  ECOCERT EU, JAS, NOP, and NPOP. These certifications ensure that UAL products are safe, natural, and eco-friendly, and meet the stringent requirements of organic farming.