Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part C (2022)

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during 2009-10 to 2010-11. Application of recommended as well as need based insecticides in protected plots resulted in significantly lower hoppers (3.95 hoppers/twig or panicle), thrips (5.47 thrips/twig or panicle), damages of leaf gall midge (7.24% leaf damage), leaf webber (3.54 web/tree) and fruit fly (7.86% fruit infestation) as compared to the unprotected plots. Number of fruits set at stone (378.54/tree) and harvest stages (232.25/tree) were higher in protected trees giving significantly higher yield in protected (58.06 kg/tree) over untreated (21.82 kg/tree) trees followed by significant lower fruit dropping (38.51%) in the former over the latter (50.58%). The avoidable yield losses due to insect-pests was to the tune of 61.51% resulting into net profit of Rs. 69,780/ ha. in protected trees over control.