A Comprehensive Approach to Manage Eriophyes prosopidis Mite induced Flower Galls in Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce

The Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria), is a vital resource in the Thar Desert. Sangri, the name of its pods, is the key ingredient in the Rajasthani vegetable dishes Panchkutta and Trikuta. There is severe gall formation and significant pod reduction in P. cineraria caused by the eriophyid mite Eriophyes prosopidis. The gall-infested trees look unwell because they have a lot of disorganized and deformed green galls hanging from them. During the field trials of the present study, we found that the infestation of this mite can be managed by an integrated management approach. The mechanical removal of dried galls fallen on surface and lopping at an interval of one year can reduce the infestation considerably. Treatment with botanicals Putranjiva roxburgii (10%) leaf extract, Balanites aegyptiaca (10%) leaf extract, spray of Metarhizium anisopliae 2.5 x 107 conidia /ml and chemicals Abamectin 1.9% EC @1ml/L and Diafenthiuron 25% WW + Pyriproxyfen 5% WW @ 2ml/L can be utilized for effective management of flower galls of P. cineraria.