EVALUATION OF KAOLIN (SURROUND^® WP) IN AN IPM PROGRAM ON MANGOES IN SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa, insect pests like mango weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae, fruit flies, Ceratitis spp., mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis and citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, are important in commercial mango production and have to be controlled regularly.
In certain areas pests of minor importance like mealybug spp., mango gall fly, Procontarinia matteiana, twig miner, Spulerina sp. and coconut bug, Pseudotheraptus wayi, also cause damage.
A non-toxic kaolin product, Surround WP, was evaluated in a ‘Sensation’ mango orchard against pests occurring early in the season.
Surround alone and Surround in combination with sulfur and lime sulfur effectively controlled citrus thrips, mango weevil and coconut bug.
Mango gall fly did not occur during the trial and the treatments had no effect on twig miner.
Both Surround treatments caused mild repercussions of mango scale and long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus, although the Surround in combination with sulfur minerals was more favourable and very similar to the control.
With the increase in consumer resistance against the use of toxic chemicals in crop production, it was concluded that Surround WP should be registered and used in an IPM program on mangoes in South Africa.

VII International Mango Symposium

P.H. Joubert, T. Grové, M.S. De Beer, W.P. Steyn

mango, Mangifera indica, Scirtothrips aurantii, Sternochetus mangiferae, Aulacaspis tubercularis

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.645.65