Pests Management in Banana Crop using UAL Organic Based Product

Bananas are an essential food source for many countries and the most cultivated soft fruit in warm regions of the world. However, banana plants face various insect threats that reduce their productivity. Farmers use insecticides to control these pests, but this can harm people and the environment and make the pests more resistant. The best way to deal with banana pests is to use natural enemies instead of chemicals.

List of Pest

1. Rhizome weevil
2. Pseudostem Weevil
3. Banana aphid

1. Rhizome weevil

Scientific name: Cosmopolites sordidus

Most Affected Plant Part: Stem and Fruit

Symptoms of Rhizome weevil

• Dark-colored tunnels present in the rhizomes; these tunnels are caused by grubs that pierce the rhizome and kill the plant.
• Withering of outer leaves and death of unopened stem

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

2. Pseudostem Weevil

Scientific name: Odoiporus longicollis

Most Affected Plant Part: Stem and Fruit

Symptoms of Pseudostem Weevil

• Grub bores into tunnels created by pseudostems.
• Tunneled portion decomposes and pseudostem wilts; cutting holes on the outside; initial symptoms are, plant sap exudation and blackened mass emerging from the bore hole.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

3. Banana aphid

Scientific name: Pentalonia nigronervosa f. Typical

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaves

Symptoms of Banana aphid

• Affected plants do not form bunches.
• Rosette-like appearance at top of the plant; Stunted growth and wavy, upward-curling of leaf margins.
• Serve as the bunchy top disease vector.
• Insects are found on leaf axils and pseudostem.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

Products

One way to reduce the environmental and health risks of chemical pesticides is to use biopesticides, which are derived from natural sources. However, biopesticides may also have some unintended consequences for other living beings and the ecological balance. Therefore, more data is required from the registration processes of biopesticides to evaluate their safety and efficacy. UAL provides some of the best organic inputs for biopesticide production.

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

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

• Plant extracts present in it increase plant SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance). 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. 
• Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Zymo Max Spread spray and sucker treatment with Zymo Thymox can control the Rhizome weevil and Pseudostem weevil as a curative spray. If the pest population is more then take 2-3 spray at 3-5 days interval.

2. 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 bio pesticide is recommended for all crops and mainly  targets beetles and sucking insects.
• Pseudostem injection with Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Zymo Max Spread are against Rhizome weevil, Pseudostem weevil and Aphids, if the pest populations are more then take 2-3 spray at an interval of 5-7 days.
• Mode of Action is Paralyse the nervous system and hampers movement/flying and feeding. 

3. Zymo Thymox :It is a concentrated broad spectrum organic fungi & bacteria controlling agent.

• Product contains a selective combination of Botanical extracts concentrate, Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients.
• Zymo Thymox drench soil against Rhizome weevil as preventive measure and after the incidence drench the soil with Zymo Thymox, if pest is not managed the drench another 2-3 times at 5-7 days interval. 
• These are recommended immediately after the pest incidence, if the incidence is in a severe stage take another spray at an interval of 5-7 days with  1 to 2 ml/lit of water, The suckers should be dipped in the solution for 15 minutes before planting.

4. 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.

For BANANA PLANTATION PROGRAMs

Stage 1: 3 – 4 kg/acre ZYMO BIOGROW, 1.5 – 2.0 kg / Acre XYMO BIOFERT & 0.5 – 1.0 kg of XYMO BIOTONIQ AG (Powder) mixed with 200 kg to 400 kg FYM, first application just after sapling transplantation i.e after 15 days – Side dressing. 

Stage 2: 3RD/4TH month application – Side dressing: 2.0 – 2.5 kg / Acre of ZYMO BIOGROW, 1.0 – 1.5 kg / Acre of ZYMO GROWELL, 1.5 – 2.0 kg / Acre of XYMO BIOFERT & 0.5 – 1.0 kg XYMO BIOTONIQ AG (Powder) mixed with 200 kg to 400 kg FYM.

Certificate: UAL manufactures and markets 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.