Eriophyid mite infestation found in amaranthus

The pest reduces yield by causing severe malformation of the shoot

A team of researchers in Kasaragod has found Eriophyid mite, which damages amaranthus (red cheera), a common leafy vegetable cultivated all over the country. The researchers said such infestation in amaranthus was being reported for the first time in India. The mite causes severe malformation of the shoot, making it fibrous and reducing the yield. The researchers, Dr. K.M. Sreekumar, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Padanekkad; Dr. Srinivasa Nagappa, and N. Sivamoorthy, Project Director, All India Network, Agricultural Acarology, found the mite in amaranthus. Dr. Sreekumar said that the extensive cultivation of amaranth was a common in the coastal areas of Kanhangad in Kasaragod district from October to the second week of June. However, the farmers have been experiencing the problem of Eriophyid mite infestation in the crop for the past three years, he said. He observed that these plants showed crinkling deformity and malformation of tender leaves, a severe reduction in the leaf size and stunting. Besides, farmers also found difficulty in harvesting. Explaining the study, Dr. Sreekumar said Eriophyid mites, numbering 8 to 28 were noticed in each plant. As a result, the number of periodical tender shoot harvests from April to June was reduced by 50 per cent.