ITI develops 'Mealy Bug Killer'
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Before and after application of “Mealy Bug Killer” on
breadfruit leaves. |
The Herbal Technology Section of the Industrial Technology
Institute(ITI) has formulated a natural "Mealy Bug Killer" using
aromatic plant extracts.
The aromatic extracts are mainly obtained from Cinnamon and
Citronella plants, ITI Senior Research Officer R. M. Dharmadasa told the
Daily News.
He added that the mealy bug outbreak had threatened many agricultural
crops as well as ornamental plants in almost all the areas, specially in
the Western Province. Preliminary studies reveal that the herbal blend
is highly effective and large scale field trials have been carried out
with the collaboration of the Agriculture Department. The trials are now
being carried out at Homagama and Gannoruwa Agricultural Research
stations.
The product was presented to Agricultural Development and Agrarian
Services Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena recently.
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