A study on the significant pests affecting Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) and Bramhi (Bacopa monnieri) in Assam

Abstract

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) are two important aromatic and medicinal crops grown in Assam. These two crops are very susceptible to insect pests leading to heavy foliage loss. A survey was undertaken to record the important insect pests of patchouli and bramhi from different parts of Assam during 2016-18. The result revealed the presence of a large number of pests associated with these two crops. Amongst those, leaf roller, grass hopper and root-knot nematode occurrence was found highest in case of patchouli and two insect pests viz, tobacco caterpillar and root knot nematode were recorded on brahmi that devoured almost 90 percent of the foliage. The prevalence of these insect and nematode pests was from moderate to high density in the surveyed areas.