Arthropods (Sep 2017)
Influence of soil nutrient combination on Flemingia semialata, lac insect growth and lac insect pest
Abstract
Lac is a natural resin of outstanding properties and exceptional versatility, secreted by tiny coccid insect Kerria lacca, which is reared on some specific plants. Lac insect take their nutrition from the host plant, hence soil nutrient become most important component for sustainable lac cultivation and host plant growth. Therefore, to determine the suitable nutrient combination dose of N, P and K on lac host plant growth, lac yield and their predation and parasitization an experiment was undertaken. The result showed N, P and K soil nutrient combination in treatment 2 (T2=N15:P5:K5) was found to be the most suitable for lac production and least insect pest infestation. The soil nutrient supplied to plants was positively influences the F. semialata plant growth. It shows that soil nutrient must be applied for lac cultivation on F. semialata for their sustainable development, better lac production and less predator infestation.
