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Indian Bay Leaf (Cinnamomum tamala) – How to Protect the Tree Spice from the Ravages of Insect Pests and Diseases

Author: Sabyasachi Ray, Debjeet Sharma and A. Banerjee

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Abstract

Indian bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala) is a valuable tree spice of India known for its beautiful aroma and fragrance. The main economic portion of this tree spice is its leaves, so that direct damage in leaves causes direct economic loss in its production. Due to the lacking of detailed information regarding its pest scenario and scientific management, a review work has been done. The study reveals that cinnamon butterfly, different species of leaf miner, chafer beetle, gall mite and cinnamon shoot and leaf webber are the important pests of bay leaf whereas major diseases include leaf spot and dieback, grey leaf spot and blight and bark canker. The insect pests can be managed by different cultural practices like hand picking and destruction of the larvae and adult beetles, trapping with different traps and using different bio-control agents and bio-pesticides besides chemical insecticides. The diseases too can be brought under control by taking different non-chemical approaches like pruning of infected branches and destruction of diseased plant parts, balanced fertilizer application, using bio-agents other than synthetic fungicides.

Keywords

Indian bay leaf, Insect pests, Diseases, Management

Conclusion

Studies on the seasonal incidence of the insect pests and diseases as well as their natural enemies present in bay leaf ecosystem in relation to the prevalent weather parameters can be done throughout the crop growing regions. Further investigation can be done to find out the best strategies for integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated disease management (IDM) for this tree spice.

References

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How to cite this article

Sabyasachi Ray, Debjeet Sharma and A. Banerjee (2023). Indian Bay Leaf (Cinnamomum tamala) – How to Protect the Tree Spice from the Ravages of Insect Pests and Diseases. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 747-754.