The crop protection aspects are grouped under three

mega projects:

(i) Integrated pests and nematode management

(ii) Phytoplasmal diseases of palms

(iii) disease management in palms and cocoa.

The areas covered by the first meg project include investigations on biocontrol agents of coconut pests, predatory mites/microbial agents in eriophyid mite infested nuts and integrated management of eriophyid mite infestation. Studies on natural enemies of arecanut pests, integrated management of white grubs, development of pheromones, control of root-knot and burrowing nematodes are also being undertaken in this project.

There are four sub-projects under the mega project on phytoplasmal diseases of palms covering root(wilt) disease of coconut and yellow leaf disease of arecanut. The aspects of investigation include purification and characterization of phytoplasma, molecular studies, breeding for resistance/tolerance and management of leaf rot disease and root(wilt) disease.

The programmes on diseases caused by etiological agents other than phytoplasma are grouped under the mega project on disease management on palms and cocoa. The disease caused phytophthora on all the three mandate crops and stem bleeding disease of coconut are covered in this mega project.