Kant, Rashmi and Joshi, Ravindra (2015) Insect pests on Moringa olefiera in Samoa. UNSPECIFIED.
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Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is considered as a “wonder tree” for its potential health benefits and its ability to cure several diseases in animals and humans. Its extracts have been used for insect pest management. Just like any other plants, M. oleifera is also attacked by various kinds of arthropods and diseases. Our initial literature search and anecdotal information collected from selected Pacific Islands Countries (Fiji, Tonga and Samoa), suggests that no pests of M. oleifera are either documented or recorded. Thus, this study endeavoured to survey pests of M. olefiera in Pacific, especially in Samoa. We examined different parts of the M. oleifera plant, such as flower, fruits (drumsticks and pods), leaves, stems and trunks for signs of insect damage. Samples for pest examination were collected from Apia and nearby area on the Upolu Island, and were examined with naked eyes and also under the stereomicroscope. Our results showed a minor damage to the M. oleifera flowers. However, a coleopteran species was recorded on few flowers and also on some dried pods. The average size of the beetles was 2 mm. Plant hoppers (nymphs and adults) were frequently observed on the upper surface of the M. oleifera leaves. Severe stem borer damage was observed as tunnels on the main trunk of the tree. The lengths of tunnel observed were up to 45 cm, with diameter ranging from 8-15 mm. Thus, our preliminary exploratory insect pest survey indicates that M. oleifera in Samoa is attacked by a plant hopper and stem borer. However, their infestations are low. Currently, no pest management strategy is available to manage them. However, a pest management strategy should be developed as M. oleifera is already gaining importance in most Pacific Island Countries and Territories, in food and nutrition security programmes.
| Item Type: | Other |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | No information is available for this article |
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Agriculture and Food Technology |
| Depositing User: | Rashmi Kant |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Apr 2016 04:05 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Apr 2016 04:00 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/8627 |
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