Thrips Parvispinus, an invasive pest species, has caused significant damage to chilli crops in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, possibly replacing the native chilli thrips species, Scirtothrips dorsalis.
Survey Findings
- An expert team conducted a joint survey in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, finding that 40-80% of the damage to chilli crops in both states was caused by thrips.
Factors Contributing to Thrips Parvispinus Outbreak
- Competition and Favorable Conditions: Thrips Parvispinus may have outcompeted native species due to changes in weather and climatic conditions during the crop season.
- Lack of Natural Enemies: Absence of natural enemies in the invaded area might have facilitated the outbreak.
- Pesticide Use: Excessive use of chemical pesticides and staggered plantings could have contributed to the outbreak.
Policy Interventions
- Pest Monitoring: Regular pest surveys and monitoring at the district level.
- Soil Fertility Restoration: Efforts to restore soil fertility in chilli-growing fields.
- Pesticide Regulation: Monitoring and regulating the quality of pesticides, promoting the use of microbial and botanical pesticides, and restricting chemical fertilizer use on chilli crops.
- Cultural Practices: Promotion of practices such as deep summer plowing, intercropping, clean cultivation, and balanced fertilizer use.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Adoption of IPM strategies for effective pest control.
Alternate Hosts and Quarantine Measures
- Thrips Parvispinus can also infest alternate hosts like drumstick, pigeon pea, chickpea, papaya, mango, and various weed species.
- Strict plant quarantine measures are in place for imported planting materials to prevent the spread of pests.
Impact on Farming Practices
- Many farmers have left their fields unattended due to severe pest infestation, serving as a source of inoculum for the spread of pests to nearby healthy fields.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:
- What percentage of damage to chilli crops in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is attributed to thrips?
- A) 20-40%
- B) 40-60%
- C) 60-80%
- D) 80-100%
- Answer: C) 60-80%
- What might have facilitated the outbreak of Thrips Parvispinus in the chilli ecosystem?
- A) Increase in native chilli thrips population
- B) Use of biological control methods
- C) Absence of natural enemies and favorable climatic conditions
- D) Decrease in pesticide use
- Answer: C) Absence of natural enemies and favorable climatic conditions
- What are some policy interventions mentioned in response to the thrips outbreak?
- A) Increased pesticide use
- B) Monitoring soil fertility
- C) Promotion of chemical fertilizer use
- D) Indiscriminate plowing practices
- Answer: B) Monitoring soil fertility
- Which of the following is NOT listed as an alternate host for Thrips Parvispinus?
- A) Mango
- B) Drumstick
- C) Corn
- D) Papaya
- Answer: C) Corn
- How have farmers responded to the severe pest infestation according to the passage?
- A) By intensifying pesticide application
- B) By abandoning their fields
- C) By implementing integrated pest management practices
- D) By increasing the use of chemical fertilizers
- Answer: B) By abandoning their fields