Ber (Indian Jujube) Pests and Diseases: Identification and Management

Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), commonly known as Indian jujube or Regi pandu in Telugu, is a hardy fruit crop well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions of India. It is widely grown in states like Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat for its nutritious fruits and high market value.

However, the productivity and quality of ber are significantly affected by various insect pests and diseases, especially during the fruiting and flowering stages. An integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) approach is essential to ensure sustainable production and minimize chemical dependence.

Major Pests of Ber and Their Management

Fruit Fly (Carpomyia vesuviana)

Nature of Damage:

• The most destructive pest of ber fruits.
• Female flies lay eggs beneath the fruit skin; maggots feed on pulp, causing internal rotting.
• Affected fruits drop prematurely and become unmarketable.

Symptoms:

• Tiny puncture marks on fruit surface.
• Brown patches and oozing of juice.
• Premature fruit fall and internal pulp decay.

Management:

• Sanitation: Collect and destroy infested and fallen fruits regularly.
• Trapping: Use methyl eugenol pheromone traps @ 10–12 traps/ha to monitor and reduce adult fly populations.
• Bait Sprays: Apply protein hydrolysate + jaggery + malathion (0.05%) as a bait spray.
• Soil Management: Plough soil under trees after harvest to expose pupae to sunlight and predators.
• Biological Control: Release parasitoids (Opius compensatus) and encourage predators.
• Chemical Control: If infestation is severe, spray Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 1 ml/litre or Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml/litre before fruit maturity.

Leaf Webber (Meridarches scyodes)

Nature of Damage:

• Caterpillars web together leaves and feed within the folded area.
• Reduces photosynthetic area, affecting tree vigor and yield.

Symptoms:

• Webbed leaves and dried foliage.
• Presence of larvae and excreta inside webs.

Management:

• Cultural: Remove and destroy webbed leaves and larvae.
• Mechanical: Use light traps to attract and kill adults.
• Biological: Release Trichogramma chilonis @ 50,000/ha.
• Chemical: Spray Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.4 ml/litre or Lambda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 1 ml/litre.

Fruit Borer (Meridarchis scyodes / Helicoverpa armigera)

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae bore into developing fruits and feed on pulp.
• Leads to fruit drop and yield loss.

Symptoms:

• Round holes on fruits.
• Frass (excreta) at entry points.
• Internal rotting of fruits.

Management:

• Hand Collection: Remove and destroy damaged fruits and larvae.
• Pheromone Traps: Install Helicoverpa pheromone traps @ 5/acre for monitoring.
• Biological Control: Apply NPV (Helicoverpa) @ 250 LE/ha.
• Chemical: Spray Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.4 g/litre or Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml/litre.

Leaf Defoliator (Asphondylia ziziphus)

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae feed on leaves and tender shoots, causing heavy defoliation.
• Affects flowering and fruit set.

Management:

• Cultural: Prune and destroy infested shoots.
• Biological: Encourage birds and predatory insects.
• Chemical: Spray Quinalphos 25 EC @ 2 ml/litre or Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.5 ml/litre.

Scale Insects (Aonidiella orientalis, Aspidiotus sp.)

Nature of Damage:

• Scales suck sap from twigs and leaves, causing yellowing and drying.
• Sooty mold development on honeydew reduces photosynthesis.

Management:

• Cultural: Prune and destroy infested branches.
• Mechanical: Scrape off heavy infestations.
• Biological: Release predators like Chilocorus nigritus.
• Chemical: Spray Neem oil 2% or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml/litre.

Diseases of Ber and Their Management

Powdery Mildew (Oidium erysiphoides)

Symptoms:

• White powdery growth on leaves, young shoots, and fruits.
• Infected fruits crack, shrivel, and fall prematurely.

Favorable Conditions:

• Dry days and cool nights with high humidity.

Management:

• Cultural: Prune overcrowded branches for better air circulation.
• Resistant Varieties: Use resistant varieties like Goma Kirti and Umran.
• Chemical: Spray Wettable sulphur 0.3%, or Dinocap 48 EC @ 0.5 ml/litre at 15-day intervals.

Leaf Rust (Phakopsora zizyphi-vulgaris)

Symptoms:

• Yellow to orange pustules on lower leaf surface.
• Premature leaf fall and poor flowering.

Management:

• Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected leaves.
• Chemical: Spray Mancozeb 75 WP @ 2 g/litre or Propiconazole 25 EC @ 1 ml/litre.

Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria alternata)

Symptoms:

• Small, round, dark brown spots with concentric rings.
• Leaves dry and fall off under severe infection.

Management:

• Cultural: Maintain field sanitation and avoid overhead irrigation.
• Chemical: Spray Chlorothalonil 75 WP @ 2 g/litre or Copper oxychloride 50 WP @ 3 g/litre.

Ber Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum)

Symptoms:

• Sudden yellowing and wilting of leaves.
• Browning of vascular tissue and death of branches.

Management:

• Cultural: Avoid waterlogging and maintain proper drainage.
• Soil Treatment: Apply Trichoderma viride @ 10 g/litre during planting.
• Chemical: Drench soil with Carbendazim 0.1% solution around root zone.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) for Ber

Conclusion

Effective pest and disease management in ber cultivation requires a holistic and integrated approach—combining cultural, biological, and chemical methods. Regular monitoring, timely pruning, and proper sanitation play a vital role in keeping pest populations under control.

By adopting Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) and using eco-friendly bio-products, farmers can achieve higher yields, better fruit quality, and reduced input costs, ensuring sustainability and profitability.