Abstract

Yamilé Machar, Majak Justin Benjamin and Charles Deng El Tahir

Subterranean termites are major pests of various food and cash crops in tropical and subtropical regions causing serious seedling losses. If control measures are not applied, losses ascribed to termites is estimated at 20%. The aim of this study is to assess coconut seedling (Cocos nucifera) losses due to termite pest species and to suggest possible control measures. Assessment of termite damage to coconut seedlings was conducted in established coconut nurseries at four villages (Nyambili, Pagae, Mtawanya and Nambunju) over a period of one year. Hand sorting was carried out from twenty seedlings foraged by termites and to identify termite pest species present in the coconut nurseries. The common pest species were Microtermes, Pseudacanthotermes, Macrotermes and Odontotermes. Infestation from these species was diverse but the most serious parts affected were plant roots, tunneling in root collar, wilting and eventually death of the seedling. Seedlings with physiological stress were uprooted to identify termite species related to the death. Losses caused by Pseudacanthoermes, Microtermes and Macrotermes ranged from 20-100%. Termite pest species abundance from coconut nurseries was significantly different. This study provided information on termite pest in coconut nurseries that can be used for development of sustainable and socially acceptable termite control measures.