Termite

Termites

Popularly known as white ant, termites are polyphagous insects that damage chickpea, wheat, maize, barley, sugarcane, groundnut, pigeon pea, sorghum etc. Termites are more prevalent in relativity drier parts of the country, especially in light sandy or sandy loam soils. Crops in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan are more prone to termite attack. However, these also cause considerable damage in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Termites usually live in groups in the soil. Termites appear soon after sowing and damage the emerging young seedlings. The damaged plants wither away and die, whereas the damaged grown-up plants die slowly. Damaged plants show yellowing, therefore can be spotted easily in standing crop. Such plants, if uprooted, show the presence of termites and their galleries on damaged plants.

Management of Termites:

·        Seed treatment with Chlorpyriphos 20EC @1.5l/100 kg seed.

·        Drenching of root areas of infested plants with 0.05% Chlorpyriphos or application of 4 l Chlorpyriphos 20EC/ha with irrigation water.