Abstract

Termites are the most serious pests of eucalypts in Kerala, as elsewhere in India. Though some prophylactic measures to control termites attacking eucalypts have been suggested in the past, experimental studies under Indian conditions are lacking. In this study, selected insecticides were evaluated with respect to their formulation, method of application and dosage by repeated field trials over a period of four years. Of the four organochlorine insecticides tested, aldrin, heptachlor and chlordane were effective when applied in the planting pit or container soil as dust or liquid formulation. HCH (BHC) did not give satisfactory protection. Among the effective ones, chlordane had slight phytotoxic effect. Group drenching of basketted seedlings with EC formulation at the nursery site was the simplest method, which gave sufficient protection to outplanted seedlings. By this method, a dosage of 0. 03 g (a. i.) of insecticide per container (12 x 18 cm) was sufficient. But a