Introduction

Sapota, also known as chikoo, is prized for its sweet, juicy fruit and resilience in various climates. However, like any crop, sapota trees are susceptible to pests that can compromise yield and quality. Effective pest management is crucial to safeguarding sapota orchards, ensuring healthy growth, and maximizing harvests. In this guide, we'll explore common sapota pests, sustainable pest control methods, and proactive strategies to maintain robust orchards year-round.

Bud worm: Anarsia epotias

Symptoms of damage:

Webbed flowers and buds

Shedding of buds and flowers.

Bore holes and excreta seen on attacked flowers.

Identification of pest:

Larva - small, slender, pinkish brown with black head

Adult: Grey moth with black patch on wings.

Management:

Spray phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit or phosphamidon 40 SL 2 ml/lit.

Application of neem oil 2% or neem seed kernel extract 5 %. 

Fruit fly: Bactrocera (Dacus) dorsalis

Symptoms of damage:

Maggot bore into semi-ripen fruits with decayed spots and dropping of fruits.

Oozing of fluid

Brownish rotten patches on fruits.

Identification of pest:

Larva - Yellowish apodous maggots.

Adult - Light brown with transparent wing

Management:

Collect fallen infested fruits and dispose of them by dumping in a pit and covering with soil.

Provide summer ploughing to expose the pupa

Monitor the activity of flies with methyl eugenol sex lure traps.

Use bait spray combing any one of the insecticides and molasses or jaggery 10 g/l

fenthion 100EC 1ml/l,

malathion 50EC 2 ml/l,

dimethoate 30 EC 1 ml/l,

carbaryl 50 WP 4 g/l. two rounds at 2 weeks interval before ripening of fruits.

Prepare bait with methyl eugenol 1% solution mixed with malathion 0.1%.

Take 10 ml of this mixture per trap and keep them in 25 different places in one hectare

Heavy infestation - application of dust and sprays of pyrethrum or BHC

Spray fenthion 100 EC 2 ml/ lit or malathion 50 EC 2ml/lit. Field release of natural enemies

Opius compensates and Spalangia philippines

Stem borer: Plocaederus ferrugineus

Symptoms of damage:

Presence of small holes at the collar region

Gummosis

Extrusion of frass through the bore holes at the collar region

Yellowing and shedding of leaves

Drying up of twigs and gradual death of the tree.

Identification of pest:

Adult - medium sized reddish-brown beetle.

Head and thorax - dark brown or almost black.

Management:

Collect and destroy the damaged plants

Field sanitation Swab Coal tar + Kerosene @ 1:2 or Carbaryl 50 WP 20 g / l on the basal portion of the trunk (3 feet height)

After scraping the loose bark to prevent oviposition by adult beetles.

If infestations are severe then apply the copper oxychloride paste on the trunk of the tree.

One celphos tablet (3 g aluminum phosphide) per hole

Apply carbofuran 3G 5 g per hole and plug with mud.

Leaf webber or Chichoo moth: Nephopteyrx eugraphella

Symptoms of damage:

Caterpillar webs and feed on leaves

Scrapping chlorophyll content

Leaves dried and hanging from the webbed shoots

Caterpillar bores into flower buds and tender fruits - withered and shed.

Identification of pest:

Egg - pale yellow colour, oval shaped

Larva – pinkish in colour, brown stripes on each side of the body.

Adult: Greyish moth with brown or black spot on the fore wing

Management:

Remove and destruct the infested fruits from the orchard

Collect and remove the dried clusters of leaf web

Insecticides: Spray phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit or phosphamidon 40 SL 2 ml/lit or neem seed kernel extract 5 %.

Spray application of cypermethrin 0.025 % affords protection.

Summary

Sapota trees are susceptible to several pests, but with proper management techniques, you can keep them healthy and productive. This summary highlights key methods for tackling common problems like bud worm, fruit fly, stem borer, and leaf webber. By identifying the pest through damage symptoms and physical descriptions, you can choose the most effective control method. The approach emphasizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM), combining cultural practices, natural enemies, and minimal use of insecticides for a sustainable solution.