Problems in Durian Plantation

Observations in durian during this season (March 2019)

a.  Durian flowering intensity are low compared to the same season last year. The flower emergence are much affected and aborted  by the extreme hot weather condition followed by very high sudden showers however, there are occurrence of flowers that anthesised which fertilized and  developed into small sized fruitlets. The total number of trees that flowered during this season was not counted yet to estimate the yield and production . On closer observation at one of those trees that the fruitlets need to be sprayed with foliar fertilizers combine with fungicides and insecticides. There are occurrence of Phytopthora on the fruitlets as shown by which powdery mucilage around the external skin  which need to be treated with Ridomil or Aliette immediately.  

b.    Insect attack. There are occurrence of branch borer attack on some of the durian trees as observed from the death of the branches and twigs.  Close observation of  dead young shoots showed that  insect excreta or fras produced resulted from boring of  branch pith and similar occasion on big branches. The case is quite rare that  the insect borers, Zeuzera  attack other crops like coffee and cocoa.

Immediate treatment need to be taken before it becomes rampant.

i.Prune all dead branches and spray with Rogor.

ii. Big branches which had been bored need to be cleaned and inject with high dosage insecticide of Rogor or Tamaron using syringe into the holes made by borers. During the activity ensure the operators used personal protection equipment (PPE)  such as  googles dan gloves for safety purposes.

Other insect problems is pysllids attack on young shoots that caused  “broom-shaped twigs” that should  tackled immediately using Nurelle 505 .

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d   New planting : Watering and composting are  not enough. Some plants are not growing ; no new  shoot growth. Immediate action should to taken to correct the problem. Each plant needs at least 6 litres of  water per day ( 3 litre in the morning and 3 litre in the afternoon). Composts needed to be adequate at 3 kg per plant  and if the soil is high in clay content compost had to be increased to 5 kg per plant.