<p>The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Old Goa, (ICAR) is carrying out field trials with a new product, sealer-cum-healer developed by the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, for the management of a vexing pest, cashew stem and root borer CSRB). The pest is considered a serious one, severely affecting cashew plantations in the state. The pest quietly grows inside the tree trunk and strikes when the cashew tree starts yielding fruit. The tree withers and dies, ICAR sources said.</p> <p>A field demonstration was held by IIHR and ICAR officials at Bharsa, Gaondongorim, for the benefit of cashew growers recently. ICAR Old Goa director N P Singh and Maruthadurai, entomology scientist explained how the pest can be managed by using sealer-cum-healer.</p> <p>"This area in Canacona has rampant incidence of the pest," an ICAR source said.</p> <p>The new product is primarily used for management of pests in coffee and mango crops. "But we are holding trials to see if it works in managing cashew stem and root borer," the source added.</p> <p>The ICAR scientists will monitor the trials periodically to check if there is recurrence of the pest. The new product has been demonstrated effectively at the directorate of cashew research, Puttur, Karnataka and regional centre of TNAU at Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu. The product contains essential micronutrients and herbal drugs which initiate the regrowth of the damaged tissue.</p> <p>More trials are planned in other areas to create awareness among farmers about the silent killer.</p> <p> </p>