Awareness on white stem borer disease

Gonikoppa Agriculture Science Station held a demonstration to take steps to prevent the spread of white stem borer in coffee plantations, in an estate belonging to Mohan in Bilugunda on Tuesday.

Expert K V Veerendra Kumar said with the insects eating the stem, the supply of nutrients to the plant will decrease. The larvae enters the hard wood and eats up to the roots. Infested plants start developing yellow colour and wilting of leaves. In case of severe disease attack, a plant may have 20-25 grubs.

Young plants succumb completely to the attack. He demonstrated ways to attract insect using net. The stem should be covered with polythene bags. As many as 40 growers had taken part.