Jatropha Curcas is acquiring importance commercially as the demand of nonrenewable fuel sources increases significantly and also jatropha curcas is an environmentally friendly energy plantation. Plantation of this plant is considered to be an outstanding fuel alternative and it is likewise very affordable compared to other fuels. Recently, jatropha curcas is dealing with some problem with bugs and diseases. The insects are classified into 2 varieties: Pest that affect young plants and Pest that impact developed plants.
Young plant insects: Cutworm, Scarabeid Beetle, Army worm, Grasshopper.
Agrotis ipsilon: It is frequently understood as Cut worm. This bug impacts the seedlings and young jatropha curcas plants. If the plant is affected by the cutworm, the stem gets cut nearer to the soil surface area and this will shrunk the plant entirely.
Control: This pest can be controlled by selecting the larva found around the plants or by blending the bran, sawdust with insecticides.
Scarabaeid Beetle: This pest destroys the root of the young plant. Initially, the larva consumes the raw materials present in the soil and after that comes to the root. The larva attack might kill the whole plant.
Control: The plant with great resistance power can overcome the bug. For heavy attack, insecticides with elements carbosulfan and carbofuran can be utilized to kill the pest.
Army worm: Spodoptera litura existence can be determined by biting in the leaves. The serious infection could entirely eliminate the plants.
Control: Insecticides are utilized to manage the bugs.
Grasshopper: This prevails insect discovered in a number of plants. Valanga nigricornis and Locusta migratoria extensively assaults the plant. The insect typically assaults the young plant.
Control: The insecticides used betacyfluthrin, cypermethrin, thiodicarb, MIPC, and fipronil.
Pest observed in fully grown plants:
Pest of Stem: Ostrinia furnacalis, Xyleborus spp.
Ostrinia furnacalis and Xyleborus: This insect harms the Jatropha stem and it is commonly seen in Indonesia. The stem assaulted by this pest typically fall down. The existence can be identified by the larva penetration hole at the stem.
Control: The Insecticide usually used to manage this insect is carbofuran.
Pest of leaf: The typical insects observed are leaf caterpillar, Neetle caterpillar, Leaf hopper, Mite, Ear corn caterpillar.
Leaf Caterpillar: This pest can consume all the leaves of the plant in brief period. The quality and yield of the seeds get reduced due to the heavy attack.
Control: This can be controlled by selecting the old larvae around the surface and getting rid of the assaulted leaves.
Needle Caterpillar: This caterpillar is covered with spinal columns and produces a burning feeling when enabled to exposure to skin as it produces specific chemical substance. Initially the pest crowded in the leaf and after that spread all over the plant when it grows older.
Control: Manually, the insect can be killed only by soaking it in water or kerosene. The heavy attack can be managed by spraying organophosphate insecticides.
Leaf Hopper: This insect is found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The bug targets the leaf and draws all the nutrients of the leaf and gets curls at the pointer. Later, the entire leaf dry and pass away.
Control: The heavy attack can be managed by utilizing insecticides like imidachloprid, beta cyfluthrin or carbosulfan.
Mite: Mite also assaults the leaf and makes the whole plant weak. The insect existence can be identified when the leaf ended up being yellow-colored, diminishes, reddens and drop. The insect can also be spread out through fallen leaves.
Control: Some preventive steps can be done like proper sanitation and burning the fallen leaves. Heavy attack can be dealt with by spraying insecticides.
Some dreadful insect which assaults flower and fruit are, Stink bug (Nezara viridula)
Chrysocoris javanus, Tip borer caterpillar.
Stink Bug: Sting bug is a severe pest which attacks the plant during bloom period so the crop yield entirely drops. This pest is seen around the tropical area.
The hazardous enzyme in the plant diminishes the entire plant.
Control: Insecticides advised for this insect is chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, alfamethrin, and lamda cyhalothrin.
Tip borer caterpillar: The bugs commonly occurs attacks the plant in flowering season and this insect is seen widely in tropical regions. The female bug laid the eggs on the tender part of the plant and the young larvae feed the young fruits and plant ideas.
Control: Manually, the assaulted seeds are recommended to burn. The insecticides like monocrotophos and bensultap are sprayed at the blooming season.