Auamri, D.K.G., & Sharma, V.C. 1986 Effects of mite (Mononychellus tanajoa) and mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti) infestation on the mineral status of a cassava clone.. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 18(1): 73-82.

Notes: Folithion-sprayed and unsprayed plants of a cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) clone (TMS/U 30395) were evaluated monthly for infestations by mites, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bunda) and mealybugs, Phenacoccus manihoti (Mat-Ferr.). The plants were sampled for mature lamina, stem and tuber parenchyma tissues and analysed for nine mineral elements - N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn and Zn. Concentrations of P and K in all the tissues sampled varied from 0.09 to 0.38 and from 0.25 to 1.46%, respectively, and were significantly lower (P lt 0.01) in tissues of severely pest-infested (unsprayed) cassaya than in those of healthy (sprayed) plants. Also, diminished values of Fe, Mn and Zn in roots and stems, and of Mg and N in leaves of post-infested were found. However, contents of Ca in all tissues, Mg and Na in roots and N in roots and stems of pest-infested and defoliated plants were considerably higher than those in tissues of healthy stands. The physiological bases for the pest-induced elemental concentration inbalances are discussed.