An estimation of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) depredations on citrus, guava and mango in orchard fruit farm.
Shahzad Ahmad, Khan H. A., Muhammad Javed, Khalil-ur-Rehman
Author Affiliation: Department of Zoology and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 14 : 149-152
Abstract : This paper presents information on the depredations of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri Scopoli) on citrus, guava and mango in an experimental fruit orchard, Faisalabad, Pakistan. As one of the worst vertebrate pests, rose-ringed parakeet obliterates not only the farm crops, but also the horticultural practices substantially with considerable economic losses. For citrus, there were significant differences for the two sample means (P0.05), while for mango, a non-significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded. For guava, the differences of means were also non-significant (P>0.05) in the morning and evening durations. It was concluded that less depredations took place at the unripe stages of the fruits, but an increase in fruit weight at the ripening stages, the damage was amplified. Reliance on the traditional and effective pest management methods has no effective impact to reduce parakeet depredations and therefore, encourages in the incorporation and an intelligent use of non-chemical and environmentally sustainable management strategies for crops, to minimize such depredations and resultant economic losses.