Assessment of yield loss in mango (Mangifera indica) due to mango hopper (Idioscopus niveosparsus) (Homoptera: Cicadelidae).

A field experiment was conducted during 1998, 1999 and 2001 at the Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurle, to assess the yield loss in 'Alphonso' mango (Mangifera indica L.) due to mango hopper [Idioscopus niveosparsus(Leth.)] incidence. The pesticide monocrotophos (0.05%) was applied as 1, 2 and 3 sprays as individual treatments, coinciding with panicle-emergence stage and 15-day intervals thereafter. In pooled data, hopper population was 6.71 and 8.50/panicle, respectively, in treatment of 2 and 3 sprays which was significantly less than the untreated control (23.90/panicle). Similarly, significant yield differences were also not observed in the treatments of 2 and 3 sprays. However, 46.30% and 41.09% increase in yield over the control was observed with 2 and 3 sprays respectively. To prevent the yield loss from mango hoppers, minimum 2 sprays, first at panicle emergence and second at 15 days after first spray were essential.