Evaluation of kaolin (Surround® Wp) in an IPM program on mangoes in South Africa.
Joubert P. H., Grové T., Beer M. S. de, Steyn W. P.
Author Affiliation: ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
: 493-499
Abstract : On 4 October 2001, the following treatments were each applied to 10 randomly selected mango cv. Sensation trees in an orchard in South Africa to determine their effects on mango pests: blank control; kaolin (Surround WP); kaolin + sulfur (wettable sulfur (S)) + polysulfide sulfur (lime-sulfur (LS)); and fipronil (Regent). Surround alone, Surround + S + LS, and Regent effectively prevented thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii) from colonizing fruits during the entire period which smaller mangoes were susceptible to thrips damage. Most of the coconut bug (Pseudotheraptus wayi) damage occurred early in the season, but both Surround treatments and Regent effectively reduced the damage. Both Surround treatments and Regent effectively prevented weevils (Sternochetus mangiferae) from depositing eggs on fruits. Although not statistically significant, Surround + S + LS was more effective against the adult weevils infesting mango seeds at harvest than Surround alone. Mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis) numbers started increasing towards the end of December, reaching relatively high levels of infestation, especially in the Surround alone and Regent treatments. Surround combination resulted in much less repercussion than Surround alone or Regent, and it can be accepted that S and LS had a suppressing effect on the development of mango scale. Treatment with Surround alone caused the highest number of long-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) to occur on fruits, while Surround + S + LS resulted in markedly less infestation. None of the treatments had any impact on gall fly (Procontarinia matteiana) and twig miner (Spulerina sp.).