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Development of a Grading System to Assess the Mealybug Infestation in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) based on the Natural Incidence

Pretheep Kumar P, Tilak M, Parthiban KT and Durairasu P

Periodical survey and monitoring of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) plantations in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu State, India, revealed that the papaya mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink was found to be the most prevalent mealybug species. The striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell was also observed to infest jatropha in a very negligible manner. A grading system specific to assess mealybug infestation in jatropha plantation was developed and it would surely ease the process of taking observations for the incidence and infestation of mealybugs.