International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 469-472
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

PEST AND DISEASES MANAGEMENT IN DARJEELING TEA

A. BHUJEL, MAHONAR SINGH, M. CHOUBEY & M. SINGH
Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, Tea Board Kurseong, Darjeeling, India
ABSTRACT
Tea is a perennial plantation crop grown under monoculture providing favourable conditions for a variety of
pests. In Darjeeling tea plantation, pest and disease is prevalent like any other tea growing region. The concept of pest
control has undergone a considerable change over the past few decades. Darjeeling tea estate accounts organic
cultivation a greater dependence on the use of biopesticides has been carried out in recent years. This review attempts to
provide them with a comprehensive account of most commonly prevalent pests and diseases and their control under the
integrated approach.
KEYWORDS: Monoculture Providing, Organic Cultivation, Pest and Disease

Received: Apr 07, 2016; Accepted: May 27, 2016; Published: Jun 10, 2016; Paper Id.: IJASRJUN2016057

Darjeeling tea (Camellia sinensis) is famous and popular throughout the world for its high quality, with a
reputation based on its aroma, brightness and taste all attributable to its geographical origin and mode of
cultivation such as plucking, cultural operation and combination of others natural factor. Tea is grown above an
altitude of about 1100 meters produce fine and flavour tea with minimum of 1150 to 6000mm of rainfall in a year.

Original Article

INTRODUCTION

The cool and moist climate, the soil, the rainfall and the slopping terrains all combine to give Darjeeling tea its
unique "Muscatel flavour" and "Exquisite Banquet".
Pest and diseases are prevalent in Darjeeling Tea plantation like any other tea growing region. There are
87 tea garden in Darjeeling which covers more than 17500 hectare of land. Organic farming is widely practiced in
Darjeeling. Tea, as a perennial crop is known to be infested by numerous pests which reduce enormous crop yield.
Each tea growing area has its own distinctive insect, mite pests and diseases.
Globally, 1031 species of arthropods are associated with tea monoculture (Hazarika et al 2009) and the
tea plant is subjected to attack by at least 250 insect species and 380 fungal pathogens out of which 167 pests and
190 fungi have been detected in N.E. India (Muraleedharan, 1992). This article reviews the present strategy on
pest and diseases management undertaken in Darjeeling for Organic farming.

TEA PESTS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN DARJEELING

TEA MOSQUITO BUG (Helopeltis theivora)
Tea Mosquito Bug is the major pest in Darjeeling which results to a crop loss of 10-15% annually.
The incidence of tea mosquito bug is observed throughout the year where the peak period is from June to
September. Mikania, Rhododendron, Syzygium cumini Oxalis spp., Neolamarckia cadamba and Guava which
serve as an alternative host also play an important role in tea mosquito dynamics. Certain cultural operation like
black plucking and slashing will result in reducing the pest population to an extent. The spraying of bio-pesticides
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A. Bhujel, Mahonar Singh, M. Choubey & M. Singh

Beauveria bassiana (10%) or 4.0gm/ litre of water offered satisfactory result. It may be noted that the microbial
formulation should contain viable spore count of 10 10 . Weekly spraying at early morning or late evening as the adults
and nymphs are active during this period on the bush with suitable adjuvant biopesticides recorded significant reduction in
the pest damage. Similarly application of neem kernel aqueous extract (2-4%) also offered fairly good result. Some of the
locally available plant aqueous extract such as Urtica dioica (Sisnu), Derris elliptica (Karkush), Eupatorium glandulosum
(Banmara), Equisetum ravens (Kurkure Jhar) and Artimisia vulgaris (Titapati) alongwith other commercial products like
Neemazal provide better control against Tea Mosquito Bug (Singh et al 2012).
TEA THRIPS (Scirtothrips Dorsalis, Taeniothrips Setiventris)
Tea Thrips are prevalent in Darjeeling during summer months and its serious attacked is noticed during May and
June. To control thrips, it is necessary to give a caustic/ lime wash to the bush frame after pruning. Usage of yellow trap
has been found to be beneficial in control of thrips to an extent. Application of plant extract from locally available common
vegetation such as Eupatorium glandulosum, Artimisia vulgaris, Urtica dioica and Equisetum arvense will also help in
reducing the intensity of thrips attack.
JASSID (Empoasca flavescens)
Jassid which are important sucking pest both adult and nymph suck the sap of tender leaves which lead to uneven
and downward, curling of leaves. The pest is more active during May to July and the population declines thereafter. It has
been reported that fungus Cephalosporium sp. can kill both adult and nymph and the affected insects are found attached to
the underside of the leaves during the later part of the year.
RED SPIDER MITES (Oligonychus coffeae)
Red Spider Mite is another common pest in Darjeeling tea plantation. Severe infestation is noticed from April to
October with a peak in May to June. As a cultural control,

Prevention of dust deposition on the leaves especially in the roadside blocks should be done by planting boundary
hedges such as Lantana camara.

It can also be done by leaving a row of tea bush unplucked after pruning.

Entry of workers from Red Spider Mite infested area to uninfested field should be avoided and total control of
weeds which serves as an alternative host.
Spraying of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (5%) and Verticilluim lecanii in alternative rounds can be done when

population build up is nominal and are found effective to keep them under threshold level. Trichothecium roseum and
Hirsutella thompsonii (Amarasena et al, 2011) are also found to control Red Spider Mites to some extent.
Scale Insect and Mealy Bugs
Sucking pest like scale insect and mealy bugs are gaining status in Darjeeling. Scale insect attack leaves and stem
which leads to unproductive plant and severe infestation may defoliate the tea plant. Eriochiton theae, Pinnaspis theae and
Phenacaspis manni are the major scale insect reported in Darjeeling.
It is present throughout the year with the peak period from April- June. Tar oil emulsion at 1: 40 during cold
weather after pruning but before outbreak by hand operated sprayer is recommended. Mealy bug attack roots result the
Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Pest and Diseases Management in Darjeeling Tea

471

stunted growth of tea plant. Pseudococcus theacola, Crisiococcus sp. and Rhizoecus sp. are among the mealy bug which is
found in Darjeeling.
Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) and Root-Lesion Nematode (Pratylenchus Sp)
Nematode is another major pest which damages the seedlings and young tea root system till the plant reaches up
to three year. Root-knot and root-lesion are reported in Darjeeling. Stunted growth of the plants, chlorosis, galls formation
on roots swollen of tap root with minute holes are the damage symptom of root-knot nematode where formation of brown
coloured lesion or wound in the root and growth of plant stunt in case of root-lesion nematode. To prevent the attack of this
parasite, nursery soil must be tested prior to planting and the population should not exceed more than 6 per 10gm of soil
for raising the crops. Heating the soil up to 60- 70C for 4-5 minutes is effective in preventing the nematode infestation.
Nematode trapping fungi with adhesive knobs or rings/net structures are also potential measures to trap and kill nematode.
Root knot nematode species can also be controlled by the fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus and Trichoderma harzianum
(David B.V, 2010).
Cockchafer Grub (holotrichia Impressa)
Cockchafer grub causes destructive damage to the collar and root region of the plant. The larvae eat away the bark
of the collar region just below the soil surface either in a ring or in patches which is similar to the manure damage.
Extensive removal of bark may cause the death of tea plant. Peak period of infestation is noticed from June to August. In
order to control the grub, spraying of Metarhizium flurescence @ 4gm/litre can be useful. It is better to spray during
evening because they are more active during evening.

DISEASES
Blister Blight
Blister Blight is caused by the obligated fungal pathogen Exobasidium vexans is one of the destructive foliar
disease. It causes havoc from June to September every year due to the misty and wet weather of Darjeeling. Spraying
formulation of Bacillus subtilis (10%) suspension 3-4 round at 15 days interval had found a fairly good control of this
disease. Ampelomyces quiscalis (AQ 10) tested on Blister Blight revealed that at 2% level offered about 45% protection
while in combination with paraffinic oil enhanced to about 67% protection (Ajay and Saha, 2010).
Black Rot
Black rot attack the maintenance leaves, kill them, causing gradual deterioration of the bush and consequent crop
loss. The fungal pathogen responsible is Corticium theae and Corticium invisum. The disease is mainly prevalent in lower
elevation of Darjeeling and noticed from May to July although germination from the sclerotial stage starts in March/ April.
The fungal remains active right up to September and then over winters in the sclerotial form in the crack and crevices of
the stem. Culture practice like pruning or skiffing of affected section, removal of pakhdandi branch, thinning of dense
shade, improvement in drainage system and alkaline wash after pruning helps in reducing the severity of diseases. Through
drenching of all stems and decomposing pruning litters with COC (1:400) or application of Bacillus subtilis (10%) at
fortnightly interval is effective in controlling the diseases. During spraying Bacillus subtilis it is necessary to spray the
small stems and ventral surface of the leaves which bear fungal pathogen.

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A. Bhujel, Mahonar Singh, M. Choubey & M. Singh

Thorny Stem Blight

Thorny stem blight is the common stem disease of tea prevailing in Darjeeling. It is caused by the pathogen
Tunstallia aculeate. Due to nature of wound parasite, it is necessary to cure fresh wound by protective paints after the
operation of heavy pruning for the entry of those parasite. The protective paints may be Bituminous paint or Trichoderma
bio agent. For rejuvenated and medium prune sections, painting of Trichoderma (20%) is advocated whereas in light
pruned section it can be spray of 5% solution, soon after pruning.
Red Rust
Red rust is a disease which causes damage especially on young stem and the ultimate symptoms of which
normally manifest on the leaves. It is caused by the parasitic alga Cephaleuros parasiticus and Cephaleuros mycondia.
The tissue of the infected stem is killed in patches where the leaves of the branches variegate with yellow patches. Culture
practice like deepening of drainage, low pH, high potash content in soil, uses of green crop (Tripsacum laxum, Crotolaria
anagyroides) should be identified and corrected. Spraying of COC (1:400) during mid April to mid July is suggested. Rock
Phosphate is allowed in Organic garden. Application of P2O5 @ 50kg/ha/yr (or dose can be ascertained by determining the
potassium content) in the form of Rock Phosphate or Wood Ash is done to replenish Potassium in the soil.
Die Back
Die back which is seen in succulent tea clones has now become the prominent disease in Darjeeling. The causal
organism of these maladies is identified as Fusarium solani, a parasitic fungus but was later identified three diseases as a
complex caused by three different fungi like Pestalotiopsis, Glomerella and Fusarium. It occurs in tea primaries.
The symptom appears as blackening of leaf petiole that gradually extends towards the nodes and internodes followed by
wilting of the primaries. Application of Trichoderma at weekly interval is reported to provide fairly good control of this
disease.

CONCLUSIONS
Beside this development and exploration of biopesticides, extract of various locally available plants work is in
progress to explore the potential control of pest and disease in Darjeeling.
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Ajay, D., and Saha, R., (2010). Pest and diseases affecting tea in Darjeeling and their management. Bulletin of UPASI, Tea
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Amarasena, P.G.D.S., Mohotti, K.M. and Ahangama, D., (2011). A Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungus to Control Tea
Red Spider Mites (Oligonychus coffeae Acarina Tetranychidae), Tropical Agricultural Research, Vol. 22 (4): 384 391

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David, B.V., (2010). Pest and diseases affecting tea in Darjeeling and their management. Bulletin of UPASI,Tea Research
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Hazarika, L. K., Bhuyan,M. and Hazarika, B.N. (2009). Insect Pests of tea and their management. Annual Review

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Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53