Plant health clinic brace for fighting Fall Armyworm

Jammu: Plant Health Clinic Jammu, has devised an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for control of crop pest Fall Armyworm.

Fall Armyworm is an invasive pest of crops has been spotted and reported for the first time in Jammu at village Parwah in Marh Block by Plant Health Clinic, Talab Tillo Jammu. The sample was further shared with SKUAST-J and the presence of insect has been confirmed by Dr. Uma Shanker, Associate Professor, Division of Entomology, SKUAST Jammu.

Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Jammu, B. K. Chandan informed that the larval stage of Fall Armyworm is highly destructive and can damage the crop in no time. This insect can be easily identified by its typical Inverted “Y” mark on the head followed by four large spots in square arrangement on the dorsal segment, he added. Joint Director further impressed upon the officers to mobilize the field functionaries and plant doctors to keep vigil in the field and report to concerned authorities as soon as the insect is spotted in their respective area.

It is pertinent to mention here that Fall Armyworm was first reported in India (Karnataka) in 2018 and till then it has spread to other states also.

Plant Protection Officer (PPO) Jammu, Davinder Sharma assisted by I/C Plant Health Clinic Jammu, Arun Khajuria has devised an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for management/ control of this pest that has been shared with concerned authorities for further awareness. However insect is still below economic threshold Level (ETL), but constant monitoring is needed to avoid any likely damage to crops.