Influence of Phytolyma lata (Homoptera: psyllidae) on seedling, growth of Milicia excelsa
1992
Cobbinah, J. R. | Agyeman, V. K. | Ofori, D. A. | Wagner, M. R.
Milicia excelsa (Iroko) is a valuable timber species occurring naturally in the humid forests of Africa. The high quality and great demand of wood obtained from M excelsa has resulted in its over-exploitation. Attempts at establishing large scale plantations to ensure sustained production have been hampered by the gall forming psyllid Phytolyma lata inspite of the economic importance of P. lata very little research has been conducted on the impact of the psyllid on the establishment of M. excelsa plantations. The effect of P. lata on growth, drying matter accumulation and allocation of M. excelsa seedlings is assessed in this study. Seedlings growth in infested plots was significantly reduced. Plants infested had lower height, stem diameter and biomass growth. However, there was no significant difference between yields of the two infested plots. Mean yield losses of stem branches and leaves of infested plant was 68.93%, 48.32% and 64% respectively of matlock uninfested plants. Infested plants also had smaller, fewer and highly chlorite leaves. It is concluded that P. lata infestation has significant effect on growth and biomass accumulation in the early development of Iroko and that such information would improve integrated pest management(IPM) programme for P. lata
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