Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Pooja Konhar and Dr. BK Sahoo

Abstract:
Rodents are serious non-insect pests in some coastal areas of Odisha damaging green tender nuts of coconut palms. Roof rat, Rattus rattus L. is the most dangerous rodent species that cause a hole near the perianth region of tender nuts and drink the water content. A survey was conducted in some areas of Coastal Odisha during the year 2015-2016 to know the percent rodent infested palms and nut damage. The results revealed that the percent rodent infestation and nut damage varied from 2.63% to 50.7% and 1.28% to 26.02% respectively. Biraramchandrapur area of Puri district recorded highest percent rodent infested palms (50.70%) and nut damage (26.02%). Monitoring on rodent abundance in coconut plantations during the year 2015-2016 revealed highest trapping index in the month of January, 2016 i.e. 25.57%. Biraramchandrapur village recorded highest percent trapping index (12.41%) followed by Oterkera (9.81%) and Resinga (8.33%). Studies also revealed R. rattus to be the predominant species (89.57%) in coconut orchards of Coastal Odisha. Thus farmers can be advised to adopt this practice for better management of rodent damage as well as for deriving high profit. Our training on various social engineering activities against rodent control was adopted by maximum farmers giving a positive impact. However further training on rodent damage and their management is required for generating awareness.