Jatropha Curcas is gaining significance commercially as the need of fossil fuels increases enormously and likewise Jatropha is an eco-friendly energy plantation. Plantation of this plant is considered to be an outstanding fuel replacement and it is likewise extremely affordable compared to other fuels. Recently, Jatropha is facing some problem with insects and diseases. The insects are categorized into two ranges: Pest that impact young plants and Pest that affect matured plants.
Young plant pests: Cutworm, Scarabeid Beetle, Army worm, Grasshopper.
Agrotis ipsilon: It is frequently called Cut worm. This bug impacts the seedlings and young Jatropha plants. If the plant is impacted by the cutworm, the stem gets cut nearer to the soil surface and this will diminished the plant totally.
Control: This pest can be managed by picking the larva discovered around the plants or by mixing the bran, sawdust with insecticides.
Scarabaeid Beetle: This bug destroys the root of the young plant. Initially, the larva consumes the raw materials present in the soil and after that pertains to the root. The larva attack may eliminate the entire plant.
Control: The plant with excellent resistance power can conquer the pest. For heavy attack, insecticides with elements carbosulfan and carbofuran can be utilized to eliminate the pest.
Army worm: Spodoptera litura existence can be determined by biting in the leaves. The serious infection might totally kill the plants.
Control: Insecticides are utilized to control the pests.
Grasshopper: This prevails bug found in numerous plants. Valanga nigricornis and Locusta migratoria commonly assaults the plant. The insect typically attacks the young plant.
Control: The insecticides used betacyfluthrin, cypermethrin, thiodicarb, MIPC, and fipronil.
Pest observed in mature plants:
Pest of Stem: Ostrinia furnacalis, Xyleborus spp.
Ostrinia furnacalis and Xyleborus: This bug harms the Jatropha stem and it is widely seen in Indonesia. The stem attacked by this pest normally drop. The presence can be recognized by the larva penetration hole at the stem.
Control: The Insecticide usually used to control this insect is carbofuran.
Pest of leaf: The typical pests observed are leaf caterpillar, Neetle caterpillar, Leaf hopper, Mite, Ear corn caterpillar.
Leaf Caterpillar: This insect can eat all the leaves of the plant simply put duration. The quality and yield of the seeds get minimized due to the heavy attack.
Control: This can be managed by choosing the old larvae around the surface area and discarding the assaulted leaves.
Needle Caterpillar: This caterpillar is covered with spinal columns and produces a burning experience when enabled to exposure to skin as it produces particular chemical substance. Initially the insect crowded in the leaf and after that spread all over the plant when it ages.
Control: Manually, the pest can be eliminated just by soaking it in water or kerosene. The heavy attack can be controlled by spraying organophosphate insecticides.
Leaf Hopper: This pest is discovered mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. The insect targets the leaf and draws all the nutrients of the leaf and gets curls at the tip. Later, the entire leaf dry and die.
Control: The heavy attack can be controlled by utilizing insecticides like imidachloprid, beta cyfluthrin or carbosulfan.
Mite: Mite likewise assaults the leaf and makes the whole plant weak. The insect presence can be when the leaf become yellowish, diminishes, turns red and fall down. The pest can also be spread out through fallen leaves.
Control: Some preventive procedures can be done like proper sanitation and burning the fallen leaves. Heavy attack can be dealt with by spraying insecticides.
Some awful bug which assaults flower and fruit are, Stink bug (Nezara viridula)
Chrysocoris javanus, Tip borer caterpillar.
Stink Bug: Sting bug is a major insect which assaults the plant during bloom duration so the crop yield completely drops. This insect is seen around the tropical region.
The toxic enzyme in the plant shrinks the whole plant.
Control: Insecticides recommended for this pest is chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, alfamethrin, and lamda cyhalothrin.
Tip borer caterpillar: The insects commonly happens attacks the plant in flowering season and this insect is seen widely in tropical areas. The female bug laid the eggs on the tender part of the plant and the young larvae feed the young fruits and plant suggestions.
Control: Manually, the assaulted seeds are suggested to burn. The insecticides like monocrotophos and bensultap are sprayed at the blooming season.
