Plant Protection, IPM

The shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis G.) is one of the major insect pests of the brinjal crop. Presently, farmers use synthetic insecticides to control this pest, which can cause health and environmental problems. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the performance of various botanical pesticides (neem, eucalyptus, karanj, and mahogany oils at 1%) against L. orbonalis under field conditions during 2023, after the 1 st and 2 nd sprays at 1, 3, and 7 days post-application. The results showed that all botanical pesticides were effective in reducing the shoot and fruit damage percentages after the 1 st and 2 nd sprays at all intervals compared to the control, with neem oil being the most effective in reducing the shoot and fruit damage percentages of L. orbonalis. The lowest shoot and fruit damage percentages were observed after the 1 st and 2 nd sprays at the 7-day interval with neem oil: shoot damage percentages were 12.5% and 9.8%, and fruit damage percentages were 22.2% and 12.4%, respectively. Similarly, the highest yield was obtained (13,013 kg/ha) when the crop was treated with neem oil, followed by eucalyptus, karanj, and mahogany oils at 1% with yields of 11,307, 10,499, and 9,947 kg/ha, respectively, whereas the minimum yield of 5,603 kg/ha of fruits was obtained in the control. Therefore, based on the present results, all botanical pesticides are highly recommended, with Neem oil being the most effective against the shoot and fruit borer.

Se estudió la diversidad de mariposas diurnas y su relación con la fenología reproductiva del guamo, I. ornata, en un agroecosistema ganadero en Quindío, Colombia. Se hicieron muestreos mensuales en dos transectos de 50 m x 2 m utilizando redes entomológicas, trampas cebadas con fruta en descomposición y observaciones de las mariposas visitantes de I. ornata. En estos transectos se contabilizó mensualmente el número de flores y frutos disponibles de I. ornata. Se registró un total de 142 especies de mariposas, 116 en el potrero y 59 asociadas a los guamos. Se encontró una mayor representación del gremio de mariposas no frugívoras en el área de estudio. La riqueza, abundancia y diversidad de mariposas mostraron una tendencia a aumentar durante los meses con mayor disponibilidad de flores y frutos, aunque no se encontró una correlación significativa entre estas variables. Los resultados de este estudio destacan la importancia del uso de I. ornata como recurso alimentario por parte de las comunidades de mariposas adultas, principalmente por las no frugívoras.

Parasitoids are fascinating insects that lay eggs in or on the body of their hosts where parasitic immatures grow and develop by exploiting the fixed resources available in a host. This study investigated host-parasitoid interaction between the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae and its parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae. The research explored the reproductive decisions made by D. rapae, and how these decisions affect its fitness and pest suppression ability. The haplodiploid nature of reproduction in D. rapae imposes strongly contrasting outcomes of mating and oviposition decisions that directly affect population sex ratio. This study found that parasitoid fitness is the integral outcome of lifetime mating and oviposition behaviours. Poor host-parasitoid synchronisation was found in an uncontrolled/open system in spring in New Zealand; a low female/male ratio and a significant number of erroneous male-male mating pairs were detected in this D. rapae population. Adult emergence occurred only during the light period, with males emerging before females (protandry). Light triggered both mating and oviposition in D. rapae. Female D. rapae preferred to mate before oviposition, which allowed them to produce female-biased offspring. Females were found to allocate more time for choosing their mates whereas males were more active during mating and selected their mates quickly. Females mated once (monandrous), while males mated multiple times (polygamous) and became sperm depleted after their third mating. The monandrous and polygamous nature of D. rapae changed the female-biased sex ratio to a highly male-biased operational sex ratio, resulting in mating interference. Several factors including age, body size, mating status and previous mating experience affected mate selection behaviour in males and females. Female D. rapae emerged with developed eggs and did not require additional food to mature their eggs (autogenous), however, it took about two days for all their eggs to mature (weakly synovigenic). The nutrients acquired during the larval stage (by feeding on host resources) and during adult stage (by feeding on 10% honey solution) both affected individual fitness. Parasitoids lived longer after feeding on honey solution and this effect was more pronounced in females than in males. Female D. rapae fed on honey also carried their eggs longer without resorbing them. Females preferred to oviposit in larger hosts than in smaller ones, despite stronger defensive behaviour of the larger hosts. Females also preferred the larger hosts for ovipositing fertilised eggs that resulted in larger female offspring; the females that vi Walker from Plant and Food Research and Paul Sunnucks from Monash University, in collecting and identifying insect samples. I thank Cilla Wehi, Marian Bulgarella, and Xiaojing Gan for their suggestions in improving the manuscripts. I also thank numerous anonymous reviewers and editors of journals I have submitted manuscripts to for their comments and suggestions. I would like to thank all my friends and colleague in INR for their help and support and I will always remember the time we spent together. Despite being so far away from family we easily adjusted in New Zealand and never felt alone because of our Phoenix group and other friends including Santosh, Prashant, Rakesh, Prasad, Neha, Harmeek, Girish, Anand, Diwas and Casey, who shared traditional food and jokes to keep refreshing me during my studies.

An experiment was undertaken to know the effectiveness of different biorational insecticides for controlling brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) under field conditions during winter season 2017-18. The different treatments were Bioneem 1% EC (Azadirachtin 1000 ppm @ 1 mL L-1 (T1) Noclaim 5 SG (Emamectin benzoate) @ 1 mL L-1 (T2), Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 mL L-1 (T3), Suntec 1.8 EC (Abamectin) @ 1.2 mL L-1 (T4) and untreated control (T5). The results revealed that the treatments Spinosad (T3), Abamectin (T4) and Emamectin benzoate (T2) were effective to suppress brinjal shoot and fruit borer infestation in brinjal field. The rate of shoot infestation was observed 6.25% and 26.01% in Spinosad (T3) treated and control plot, respectively. The lowest fruit infestation (6.98%) by number and (9.32%) by weight was recorded in Spinosad (T3) treated plot. Reduction rate of fruit infestation over control was 82.82, 51.19, 41.15 and 38.17% by number and 66.11, 43.75, 33.13 and 24.44% by weight in Spinosad (T3), Emamectin benzoate (T2), Abamectin (T4) and Azadirachtin (T1), treated plot, respectively. The yield in different treatments ranged between 22.02 and 32.52 t ha-1. Healthy fruits yield increase over control varied from 19.36 to 85.46%, where the highest increase was found in Spinosad (T3) treated plot and the lowest in Azadirachtin (T1). The highest adjusted net return and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of Tk. 2,61,564 and 11.08, respectively were obtained from Spinosad (T3) treated plot. The lowest BCR was 2.66 in Azadirachtin (T1) treated plot. Among the four bio-rational inecticides Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) showed the highest efficacy and it could be used against brinjal shoot and fruit borer in brinjal production.

Landraces of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) are grown throughout Zimbabwe and frequently given names describing important traits they possess or their origin. Little is known about the consistency of the relationships between names and genetic identity, and thereby the usefulness of names is developing strategies for germplam conservation and use. This study analysed genetic diversity of 52 sorghum and 47 pearl millet landraces from two districts of Zimbabwe, Nyanga North and Tshlotsho, using isozyme and microsatellite techniques. Six enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), peroxidase (POD), α-esterase (α-EST), β-glucosidase (β-GLU), acid phosphatase (ACID-P) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), were tested by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and histochemical staining of polyacrylamide gels. Microsatellite analysis was done using polyacrylamide gels stained with ethidium bromide. Genetic similarities (simple matching coefficients) were calculated and dendrograms were used to compare relationships based on indigenous local names and the origin of the accessions.

ABSTRACT This study assessed the impact of post-harvest losses on the profitability of rice processors in Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of rice processors, estimate the extent of post-harvest losses, and analyze their influence on profitability. A total of 150 rice processors were selected using a combination of purposive, multi-stage, and simple random sampling techniques, with Taro Yamane’s formula guiding the determination of the sample size. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Results showed that the average age of the processors was 41 years, with 47.33% being married and 74.67% having a formal education. Most processors (44.67%) handled between 7 and 10 bags of 100 kg weekly, and 36.67% had 10–15 years of processing experience. Inadequate drying facilities accounted for the highest post-harvest losses (61.56 kg or 25.60%), while pest and rodent damage contributed the least (30.14 kg or 12.53%). Gross margin analysis revealed an average gross income of ₦90,000 per 100 kg bag and a net farm income of ₦10,467. Regression analysis (adjusted R² = 0.59) identified key determinants of losses and profitability, with milling technology, labor, drying, and transportation showing significant adverse effects on losses. The scale of operation and rice prices significantly enhanced profitability. The study recommends investments in modern processing technologies, improved infrastructure, and training to reduce losses and boost profitability. Keywords: Estimates, Post-harvest losses, Profit, Rice processors

Field experiments were conducted at Charaibahi village, Jorhat, Assam during 2015-17 to evaluate six ecofriendly IPM modules against red ants Dorylus orientalis Westwood in potato. Among the modules evaluated, Module-II (pre sowing treatment of mustard oil cake @ 150 kg/ ha+ wood ash 150 kg/ ha+ panchagavya @ 3% and soil drenching with neem oil @ 5 ml/ lit after 1st and 2nd earthing up (25 and 60 DAS) recorded the lowest tuber damage both in weight (8.65%) and number (10.70%) basis and found at par with the recommended package of practices (RPP) (application of malathion 5% dust @ 40 kg/ ha+ mustard oil cake @ 150 kg/ ha in the soil after 1st and 2nd earthing up) recording 8.18 and 10.20%
tuber damage, respectively. The same module also recorded highest tuber yield (119.37 q/ ha) which was at par with the RPP (120.12 q/ ha). The maximum benefit cost ratio (1.41) was recorded in RPP followed
by Module-II (1.33) and Module-VI (1.26). The untreated control plot registered a very high level of tuber damage (25.93 and 28.70 on weight and number basis, respectively) having maximum population of red
ants (3.95 numbers/ m2) with a tuber yield of 89.91 q/ ha.

exchange. The cotton crop production accounts for 0.6% in GDP and 3.1% in total agriculture value addition. In the last year, cotton was cultivated on 1,937 thousand hectares in Pakistan [2]. Cotton faces major losses in yield due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cotton is constantly exposed to damage by several economically important sucking and chewing insect pests [3]. Cotton bollworms are the major pests that can reduce cotton yield up to 50% [4]. Among bollworms, pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella is more problematic for the quantity and quality of cotton yield. It has recently emerged as a serious concern for cotton production. The origin of PBW is from Indo-Pak region and is widely distributed throughout tropical America,

Brinjal, Solanum melongena L.(Eggplant) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Asia, where more than 90% of the world’s eggplant production occurs. Among different biotic and abiotic stresses, insect pest is one of the most important limiting factors for successful cultivation of brinjal. For protecting the crops, farmers usually rely upon chemical pesticides those gradually hampering non-target organisms, increasing cost of production as well as leaving hazardous residues in the produce (Prempong et al., 1977). Among the non-chemical alternate technologies, indigenous technology may play important role in bringing sustainability in brinjal cultivation. From time immemorial, the farming communities of northern tract of West Bengal that comprises many aboriginal populations earlier used a number of indigenous techniques in managing pest menaces on brinjal. A good number of them are still in use on brinjal at different corners of the region. A number of indigenous knowledge b...

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) (Linn.) (Merr.), is one of the commercially important fruit-crop of the world especially in India. It is the third most important tropical fruit in the world after banana and citrus with fine flavor and high nutritive value. Pineapple is a good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and vitamin B and is fairly rich in ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and it also contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, a digestive enzyme that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation. The present study was undertaken with an aim to find out the reasons behind the low level of productivity in Imphal East district which has the highest area of pineapple in the state. The random sampling procedure was adopted to select the 120 sample from four villages selected for the present study. The constraints showed that majority of the pineapple growers in the area expressed the problems of inadequate facility of transport and communication, the improper pre-and post-harvest handling technique like absence of refrigerated vans for transportation, inappropriate packaging, lack of storage facilities etc. lead to heavy losses to the farmers.

Hay que tener en cuenta que por cada dólar o euro que los consumidores pagan a los vendedores minoristas dentro de la cadena agroindustrial, la sociedad paga otros dos dólares o euros por los daños ambientales y a la salud que la misma cadena provoca. La cuenta total de los costos directos e indirectos de operación de la cadena agroindustrial equivale a cinco veces el gasto anual en armamento de los gobiernos del mundo. Y los suelos degradados son el resultado de todos los años de agricultura industrializada. Para introducirnos en la regeneración biológica de estos suelos, debemos en primer lugar dejar de lado la mente colmena, es decir, dejar de analizar consecuencias sin siquiera comprender las causas. La vida de los suelos es desconocida para muchas personas que se dedican a la agricultura. La simbiosis entre los microorganismos y las raíces de las plantas es sin duda uno de los elementos más importantes a tener en cuenta. Los hongos son quienes junto a las redes de raíces, conforman una extensa capa donde se van alimentando otros microorganismos, con los siguientes efectos: descomponen la materia orgánica liberando nitrógeno, retienen nutrientes en su interior, generan nutrientes para otros microorganismos, protegen a las raíces, las micorrizas mueven minerales. Los protozoarios liberan nitrógeno para la planta cuando se alimentan de bacterias, controlan patógenos que atacan a la planta, estimulan y regulan las poblaciones de bacterias. Los nematodos liberan nitrógeno para la planta cuando se alimentan de bacterias o de hongos. Existen 26 mil especies de nematodos. Un suelo sin hongos es un suelo degradado.

Celem pracy była ocena niedoboru i nadmiaru opadów w okresie wegetacji średnio wczesnych odmian ziemniaka, uprawianych w Polsce. Wykorzystano dane z czternastu stacji COBORU (1971–2013) dotyczące miesięcznej sumy opadów atmosferycznych (V–IX). Charakterystyki zaspokojenia potrzeb opadowych dokonano na podstawie różnic między wartościami miesięcznych sum opadów występujących w latach badań i wartościami uznanymi za optymalne. Na obszarze całego kraju niedobór opadów, z częstością przekraczającą 50%, występował w maju i sierpniu, a nadmiar w czerwcu. niedobory opadów najczęściej występowały w Kawęczynie, Szczecinie Dąbie oraz Chrząstowie. Nadmiary opadów najczęściej notowano w Karżniczce i Jeleniej Górze. Najwyższe średnie wartości niedoboru opadów notowano w sierpniu. Największy nadmiar opadów występował w czerwcu i wahał się od 6 mm w Kawęczynie do 24 mm w Jeleniej Górze. Największy niedobór opadów, w okresie wegetacji średnio wczesnych odmian ziemniaka w Polsce, notowano w ostatnim...

Solanum nigrum L., commonly known as Makoi or Black Nightshade, is a widely cultivated fruit
vegetable crop valued for its high nutritional content. However, its production is significantly threatened
by the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis). This highly destructive pest causes severe economic losses
and compromises crop quality due to its aggressive feeding behavior. Biopesticides have recently gained
attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional insecticides for managing S. littoralis infestations. This
study evaluated the efficacy of three commercial bioinsecticides applied at their recommended concentrations
against 2nd instar larvae of S. littoralis under semi-field conditions over two growing seasons. Larval mortality
was assessed three days post-treatment, and all tested bioinsecticides demonstrated significant effectiveness.
Among them, emamectin benzoate consistently exhibited the highest mortality rate across both seasons.
Additionally, the tested bioinsecticides remained effective for up to 10 days after application. Treatment with
LC50 concentrations of these bioinsecticides resulted in significant alterations in soluble protein, carbohydrate,
and lipid levels, as well as the activity of specific carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes. These findings highlight
the potential of bioinsecticides as effective and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides, offering both
targeted pathogenic effects on insect pests and safety for non-target organisms.

The field investigation, conducted during 2022-23 (rabi season) in Randomized block design with 3 replications at Agricultural Research Farm of Baba Raghav Das PostGraduate College, Deoria, UP to evaluate efficacy of botanical insecticides (i.e. neem leaf extracts @ 100 ml L-1 , eucalyptus oil @ 25 ml L-1 , lemongrass leaf extract @ 50 ml L-1 , neem baan (azadirachtin 0.15 EC) @ 4 ml L-1 , neem oil @ 5 ml L-1 , and chinaberry seed extract @ 50 ml L-1) along with one chemical insecticide (spinotoram 11.7 per cent SC @ 0.25 ml L-1) over the Pusa-261 chickpea variety revealed that the insecticide spinotoram 11.7 per cent SC and the botanical neem oil was found superior against H. armigera in chickpea, respectively. Rest of the botanicals also showed significant effect over control. Maximum yield was recorded from the plots treated with spinotoram 11.7 per cent SC with grain yield of 0.28 Kg plot-1 followed by neem oil (0.26 Kg plot-1) as compared to the control (0.11 Kg plot-1).

Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus, is a widespread foliar disease that has a substantial impact on maize yield in the Huang-Huai-Hai Region of China. Pydiflumetofen (Pyd), a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), has been found as a promising fungicide for the efficient control of SCLB, however, resistance of C. heterostrophus to Pyd has not been studied well. Here, five Pyd-resistant mutants were generated through fungicide adaptation. Sequence alignment analysis revealed that these mutants primarily mutated in ChSdhB and ChSdhD, with three genotypes: ChSdhBH277Y, ChSdhBI279T and ChSdhDH133Y, exhibiting two distinct categories of resistance: high resistance (HR) and moderate resistance (MR), among which the resistance factors were 214.22 and 44.33–53.67, respectively. These mutants were more pathogenic than the wild-type parental strains, but there was a significant reduction in mycelial growth rate and sporulation in the resistant mutants, indicating a significant fitness cost associated with resistance to Pyd. In addition, this study revealed a positive cross-resistance between Pyd and another SDHI fungicide cyclobutrifluram. However, no cross-resistance was found between Pyd and other classes of fungicides, including prochloraz, fludioxonil, iprodione or pyraclostrobin. Homology modeling and molecular docking further confirmed that point mutations of ChSdhBH277Y, ChSdhBI279T, and ChSdhDH133Y could reduce binding affinity between Pyd and its target subunits from –74.07, –74.07, –152.52 kcal mol–1 to –3.90, –4.95, –9.93 kcal mol–1, respectively. These findings not only provided valuable insights for managing SCLB caused by C. heterostrophus, but also enhanced our understanding of molecular mechanism underlying plant pathogen resistance to Pyd.

The survey was carried out in 2016 in the production of citrus fruits at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes of Kolla Tembien and Tanqua Abergelle districts, to assess the type of diseases, the causes and the characteristic symptoms of the diseases and to identify the types of insect pests that inflict serious damage. The laboratory analysis result depicted that bacteria and fungi caused most of the diseases of citrus at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Exceptionally cyst nematode and climbing weed were problems in production of citrus at the irrigation schemes. Diseases like citrus melanose, brown rot, root rot, blue mold, sooty mold, leaf spot and fruit spot were among the fungal diseases identified at the irrigation schemes. Moreover, citrus greening, and citrus canker were also some of the bacterial diseases of citrus at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Conversely, the type of insect pest that predominantly constrained the production of citrus in both areas were woolly whitefly, citrus mealybugs, orange dogs, cottony cushion scale insects, brown scale insect, citrus leafminer, citrus psyllid, fruit fly, adult flatid planthoppers, citrus aphid, red scale and root weevil respectively. Most of these insect pests belong to the Hemipteran order followed by lepidopteron insect group. Milk vine had also been observed as one of the weeds that pose serious problems to some of the citrus trees at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Therefore, further research intervention should focus on management of these insect and disease pests at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes.

Ficus carica L. is one of the earliest cultivated fruit trees, and figs are a typical fruit of the Mediterranean diet and traditional medicine as well. In recent years, a new pest, the black weevil Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) native to Asia, has been recorded in France and Italy. Aclees taiwanensis causes the rapid death of the fig tree by its larvae that dig alimentation galleries in the trunk and surface roots, compromising the phloem flux. In Italy, from 2005, the year of the first detection of A. taiwanensis, the fig production has nearly halved, decreasing from 20.09 t to 10.65 t. To date, no specific EU regulation has been applied to prevent the A. taiwanensis spread, and we can reasonably expect a rapid diffusion of this pest all over the Mediterranean area. To avoid the loss of the Mediterranean fig orchards, effective strategies to detect and control the black weevil are required. Such strategies need a detailed knowledge of A. taiwanensis dist...

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is necessary to enhance sustainable yield in an eco-friendly way. A field experiment was conducted in the research field of Midwest Academy and Research Institute College of Live Sciences, Tulsipur, Dang from November 2018 to January 2019 to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of radish. Mino Early variety was used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out on Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications and five treatments. Nitrogen (N) was supplied through different sources. The treatment combinations were: control (T1), 100% recommended N through chemical fertilizer (T2), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through farmyard manure (FYM) (T3), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure (T4) and 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost (T5). Significant effect was noted on leaf numbers, root length, root diameter and yield per ha but no significant effect was noted on the germination percentage and plant height. The highest germination percentage (77.00 %), plant height (13.27 cm), root length (16.94 cm), root diameter (3.01 cm), and yield per ha (16.55 t/ha) was recorded at T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure). T5 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost) recorded the highest leaf numbers (10.40). In our experiment, T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure) was found to be superior, so in inner terai places like Tulsipur, Dang it is suggested to apply 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure to obtain a high yield of radish.

National Soil Science Research Centre of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) with technical support from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center developed Digital Soil Map (DSM), a webbased information system, in 2020 using the legacy data with a geospatial model using a random forest machine learning prediction approach. The map generated with the model predicted values besides geo-referenced points that require further validation. Since DSM was launched, no work has been done to validate the map. We sampled 452 points from all municipalities of the Chitwan district using a gridded sampling approach to validate the existing predicted values of the DSM. We found that the observed values such as soil texture, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen content were similar to the range values of DSM. Still, a discrepancy was found between the available potassium and phosphorous. In the majority of areas, the observed value of available soil potassium (20-450 kg K ha-1 ± 15 kg K ha-1) was found lower compared to the DSM values (118-330 kg K ha-1), however, available phosphorous (55-230 kg P ha-1 ± 10 kg P ha-1) was found higher compared to DSM range values (11-139 kg P ha-1). The maize growing area of Chitwan was found suitable with soil pH (6.4-6.8) and other nutrients except for available soil potassium. Most of the areas from Eastern and Western Chitwan reported potassium mining, which needs to be considered in balancing nutrients in field crops.

Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) has been conducting academic programs in affiliation with Purbanchal University since 2000. We are celebrating our 25th year of establishment this year. Being the first college of agricultural sciences established with the public-private partnership (PPP) approach in Nepal, all of its founders, promoters, faculty, staff, graduates, and students, it is a matter of pride for all of us. HICAST has been conducting various bachelor’s and master’s programmes in agriculture, veterinary science and agri-business. Both the bachelor’s and master’s degree students must conduct field- and/or laboratory-based research under the supervision of faculties at HICAST, PU. Without being timely published, these research findings cannot reach to a wider readership, and continue to remain as decorative materials in the bookshelves of the library. Realizing the importance of widely sharing at least the abstracts of those researches, an attempt was initiated by us to publish the thesis research abstracts annually. This is the 13th volume of the journal. This volume of HICAST Research Abstract consists of the abstracts of 156 research studies conducted at HICAST. These studies were conducted in various parts of Nepal. This publication will be useful for students, researchers, teachers, policymakers, and development workers.

The experiment was conducted during late kharif 2015 for screening of 6 varieties and 5 hybrids of brinjal against L .orbonalis in terms of fruit damage. Relatively high percentage of fruit damage was recorded in CVK variety, Ranjitha hybrid, Arka Kusumakar variety. The damage in the above lines ranges from 65 percent to 57 percent. The lowest fruit damage was recorded in Shymala hybrid and Arka Neelakanth variety, in these two lines on number and weight basis similar results were obtained (22 to 26%). The maximum percentage of fruit damage was recorded during 70 -100 DAT.

In the study of insect pests of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill,) in Peshawar, the insects found or feeding on soybean plants were white fly Bemisia tabaci (Gen), Thrips flavus Schr, jassids Amrasca biguttula (Gen)., painted bug Piezodorus sp., hairy catterpiller Euproctus sp., chrysomellids Systena sp. and different species of grasshoppers including Acrida exalta Walk., Truxalix nasuta (Lin.), Euprepocnemis alacris alacris (Ser.) and Attractomorpha acutipennis (Guer). Also the relative abundance of each of these species on different cultivars of soybean was recorded from August to November. Cultivar GS-50277-266-9-21 attracted significantly large number of all the recorded insects showing its least resistance or maximum susceptibility. Not a single cultivar was fount to be resistant to all the insect pests. However, cultivar WILL was relatively more resistant to white files, cultivar GC-81090-72-7 was relatively more resistant to painted bug and hairy caterpillar and cultivar GC-81083-83 was relatively more resistant to jassids and thrips than the other cultivars.

Signs of mycosis on mummified Spodoptera frugiperda cadavers were found in maize fields in the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Wa Municipalities in the Ashanti Region and Upper West Region of Ghana, respectively, during the 2019 to 2022 growing seasons. Two major signs were observed on two sets of cadavers that were collected. These were dense white powdery colony encapsulating cadavers, and green powdery growth engulfing cadavers. The causal fungi were confirmed as Beauveria bassiana from white cadaver mummies and Trichoderma ghanense from green cadaver mummies based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The two fungi were assessed for their lethal effect against 3rd instar larvae of S. frugiperda by artificial inoculation. The inoculation was performed with conidia suspension of 1 × 10 8 conidia/ml for each fungi. B. bassiana caused 55% larval mortality, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the 32.5% caused by T. ghanense. No larval mortality was recorded for the control. Artificially inoculated 3rd instar S. frugriperda larvae exhibited signs similar to those observed on infected larvae collected from the field. The respective pathogens were re-isolated and the morphology matched B. bassiana and T. ghanense, respectively. The findings indicate the potential of the two fungi as bio-control agents for management of S. frugiperda on maize. The obtained result could find application in the formulation of bio-pesticides for S. frugiperda management.

The present study aimed at identification of new inbred lines with resistance to maize stem borers. A set of 76 inbred lines were screened against Chilo partellus and 56 against Sesamia inferens during kharif 2017 and rabi 2017-18, respectively under artificial infestation conditions and evaluated based on the leaf injury rating (LIR)on 1-9 scale. LIR in the test lines due to C. partellus ranged from 2.7 to 9.0 and for S. inferens foliar damage ranged from 2.1 to 9.0. Among the lines screened, one line DMRE63/ CML 287-2-46-9 was found to be resistant to C. partellus with LIR 2.7 whereas eight lines, viz., BGS-86 (2.17), CM111/Zea diploperennis/CM111 (2.8), CML141 (2.4), CML33#-4 (2.4), DML-1432 (3.0), EC619101 (2.5), HEY Pool-2011-30-4-1-2-2-1 (2.2) and HEY Pool-2011-41-2-1-1-1-1 (2.3) were found resistant to S. inferens. These lines can be used in future studies to develop stem borer resistant cultivars.

The effects of Neem extracts; Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE), Neem leaf extract (NLE), Neem stem bark extract (NSBE) at 0, 5, 10 and 15% concentrations were investigated on Ootheca mutabilis, Aspervia armigera, Clavigralla tomentosicollis and Coptosoma stali, all cowpea insect pests in Asaba area Delta State. The specific objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected neem extracts for insect pest management in cowpea production in the area. The treatments; NSKE, NLE, NSBE and untreated check were replicated three times using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results obtained indicated that neem extract had some insecticidal properties which showed positive control on some major insect pests and significantly influenced pest population associated with the crop. The study showed that 10% NSBE concentration was more effective for the management of Ootheca mutabilis, Aspervia armigera and Clavigralla tomentosicollis amongst the various levels of neem extracts tested in two years cropping seasons (2021 and 2022). Based on the findings from the study, 10% concentration of NSBE is recommended to farmers for mitigating insect pest damage on cowpea in the study area.

The study Key Insect Pests and Weeds in Irrigated Rice fields at Varying Fertilization Regimes was conducted during July to December 2020 cropping season. It aimed to describe the occurrence of pests and weeds along with the soil characteristics and fertilizer regimes in different rice fields in RTRomualdez, Agusan del Norte. Relative to the objectives, findings were obtained. Pests and weeds are rising at the sampling sites which are contributory factors to the poor production of rice. Pests and weeds are significantly linked to fertilizer applications such as potassium (K) and nitrogen (N). The soil characteristics such as soil PH and soil phosphorus (P) of the farm sites in RTRomualdez Agusan del Norte are in the normal range. Organic matter (OM) content is low. However, soil potassium (K) is higher which is above the normal range when farmers applied more potassium fertilizers it may cause fixation rather than availability which aggravated further the occurrence of insect pests. Rice crops have a very low nitrogen (N) concentration and marginal potassium (K) levels. Regarding pest occurrence, Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Aguingay) grows more with increasing N concentration. The occurrence of pests is positively correlated to organic matter and phosphorus (P). Further, Nitrogen (N) is positively correlated to the occurrence of weeds. These implied that soil characteristics are significant factors in the occurrence of pests and weeds. The optimal use of potassium (K) and nitrogen (N) can be studied in the occurrence of pests and weeds. The growth of plant hopper and green leaf hopper can be further investigated at varying concentrations of organic matter and phosphorous content. A deeper study on the influence of Nitrogen uptake on the growth of Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Aguingay) is also suggested. Wide sampling sites may also be considered to understand the variability of pests and weeds.

Iracambi is a working farm in region of Rosario da Limeira, Minas Gerais. Research is carried out at the farm's Research and Conservation Center into sustainable methods of farming the rainforest. Butterflies are not only interesting but also vitally important to the rainforest. This study was carried out to catalogue the abundance and diversity of butterflies at Iracambi. The methods were adapted to suit our facilities. A surprising number of butterflies and butterfly diversity was observed considering the season.

During the 2022 kharif, laboratory-based studies on the biology of the shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee in brinjal, were conducted at the Department of Entomology, S.K.N., College of Agriculture, SKNAU, Jobner (Rajasthan). Laboratory-based biological investigations of L. orbonalis on brinjal (Varieties "Pusa Purple Round"), the eggs were oval, flat, and cream-colored before hatching. They then turned pale orange with distinct black spots. The average fecundity was found to be 216.60 eggs. The mean of incubation period and longevity of larval stage (I-instar, II-instar, III-instar, IVinstar and V-instar), pupal and adult stage (male & female) were 3.90, 20.10 (4.20, 4.40, 4.10, 3.70 and 3.70), 6.80, 4.08, (3.67 & 4.50) days respectively. These results offer enough insight into insect biology to enable the implementation of appropriate control strategies.

The raising of goats and pigs appears to offer income-generating opportunities for resource-poor landless households in the Nepal Terai, as in other regions of the country. This paper describes the first stage of an initiative to develop, validate and disseminate improved technologies for raising goats and pigs, through a participatory self-learning approach with landless farming communities. 1 This publication is an output from a research project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID. R8109, Livestock Production Research Programme.

Toxicity of neem extract in comparison with DDVP (Dichlorvos) was determined against the housefly (Musca domestica L). Neem leaf extract was applied at 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 microgram/fly and DDVP was treated in 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 microgram/fly doses. Lethal dose values were calculated with probit analysis and LD50 and LD90 values were found to be

It is extremely challenging to control the Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, also known as the brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB) in brinjal cultivation. Considering the prevailing dangerous effects of chemical pesticides on human health and ecology, biopesticides can be an effective weapon to sustain against BSFB. Among the different types of biopesticides, Spinosad was found to be more effective @0.4ml/L to recommend as it was elucidated the lowest shoot infestation (10.19%) and fruit infestation (25.53%) followed by Abamectin @1.2ml/L (12.82% and 30.71%). Furthermore, other biopesticides like Buprofezin, Abamectin, Neem oil, Mahogony oil, Neem leaf extract, and Garlic bulb extract are also used to finding out the best possible solution of existing threats from BSFB. Consequently, with the higher efficacy of Spinosad the economic point of view can be accentuated through the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.28) and quantity of marketable fruit yields (36.62 tons/ha) in the study area.

Transformation of traditional and subsistence agriculture into commercial and market oriented production system needs efficient transfer of technology to the farmers. Efforts to bridge the gap between research and farmer’s field have been lacking in Nepal and performance of the organizations providing extension services to the farmers is below par, the reason behind this state of affairs is still to be studied. In order to assess the performance of development organizations, this study selected 105 farmers from Dadeldhura district using stratified random sampling technique and both primary and secondary data regarding the activities of those organizations were collected. The development organizations were found to be concentrated in urban areas with technician to population ratio and extension coverage of 1:2353 and 22.7%, respectively. Agriculture sector occupied only 4.01% of the district budget. Most of the organizations had similar type of activities mainly related to technology...

EFSA workshop «Risk assessment considerations for RNAi-based GM plants» 4-5 June 2014 Brussels, Belgium Wheeler et al. 2001. The Phylogeny of the Extant Hexapod Orders Evolution of the Insects. Grimaldi & Engel Drosophilids: 0.3% Towards the end of Drosophila dictatorship Drosophilids represent 0.3% of total described insect species Papers on Drosophilids represent 71% of total papers published on insect functional genomics (PubMed, 1980-2007) Drosophilids Papers on Drosophilids Brussels City Hall Tower, 96 m Papers on Drosophila: 68 m Drosophila: 20 cm

Survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of potato growing farmers' on the details of potato pests in Gokulganga Rural Municipality of the Ramechhap district. Fifty farmers' were randomly selected and interviewed using structured open-ended questionnaire for collecting the information. Similarly, field yield loss by red ant and white grub on Cardinal and Rosita variety was assessed from one meter square area of thirty fields of the survey site. Survey revealed red ant followed by white grub were the major pest of potato. The average percentage yield loss by the red ant and white grub was 17.3% and 10.5%, respectively. It was also found that, Rosita variety was better in terms of yield than Cardinal. The percentage yield loss on Cardinal and Rosita variety was 15.59% and 6.11% by red ant and 2.01% and 4.16% by white grub, respectively. There is not significant difference in yield loss by red ant and white grub in between Cardinal and Rosita variety. The correlation between white grub population and percentage yield loss is moderately positive in both Cardinal (0.448) and Rosita (0.246) variety whereas correlation between red ant population and percentage yield loss is negative in Cardinal (-0.15) and less positive in Rosita (0.023) variety. Farmers' knowledge and practices on potato pest management and field loss information can be useful to design integrated pest management strategy for potato pest management.

Serangga perusak merupakan organisme yang menyebabkan tanaman menderita akibat salah satu bagiannya mengalami kerusakan. Serangga dapat disebut hama apabila bersifat merugikan tanaman secara fisiologis maupun ekonomis. Serangga mudah berkembang biak pada area tanaman yang sejenis atau monokultur.

The aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major pest of cowpea crops [Vigna unguiculata (L., Walp.)]. Adults and nymphs feed on leaves, stems, flowers, and pods, leading to a reduction in plant productivity. Botanical insecticides can be an alternative for the control of A. craccivora, but studies under field conditions are necessary to evaluate these substances. We assessed the mortality of A. craccivora in cowpea crops for two seasons (dry and wet) using pyroligneous acid in three concentrations (2, 4 and 6 mL/L). Water was used as the control. Crop productivity was also evaluated. We performed the experiment using a completely randomized block design with four replications. Pyroligneous acid at 4 and 6 mL/L caused higher mortalities (p < 0.0001) and productivity was higher in plots sprayed with pyroligneous acid at these concentrations in both experimental seasons (p < 0.0001). In summary, pyroligneous acid controls A. craccivora and increases cowpea productivity.

The study was carried out to assess the efficacy of commonly used insecticides against sucking pests on okra plants treated with Bacillus subtilis Bbv57, a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR). The experiment was designed in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Okra seeds were treated with a talc-based formulation of B. subtilis Bbv57, and the PGPR was also applied to the soil before sowing. Insecticides, including imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid, were sprayed on both PGPR-treated and untreated plots. Pest populations, including aphids and leafhoppers, were monitored at 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after treatment. The results indicated that insecticide treatments on PGPR-treated plants significantly reduced pest populations compared to untreated plants. Acetamiprid 20 SP at 100 g ha-1 was the most effective, reducing aphid and leafhopper populations to the lowest levels on PGPR-treated plants. Furthermore, PGPR treatment enhanced pest resistance, likely through induced biochemical changes. The highest yield (18.55 tonnes ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1:2.53) were observed in PGPR-treated plants treated with acetamiprid. This study demonstrates that combining PGPR with insecticide treatments provides an effective, sustainable solution for managing sucking pests in okra, offering both improved pest control and higher economic returns.

Survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of potato growing farmers' on the details of potato pests in Gokulganga Rural Municipality of the Ramechhap district. Fifty farmers' were randomly selected and interviewed using structured open-ended questionnaire for collecting the information. Similarly, field yield loss by red ant and white grub on Cardinal and Rosita variety was assessed from one meter square area of thirty fields of the survey site. Survey revealed red ant followed by white grub were the major pest of potato. The average percentage yield loss by the red ant and white grub was 17.3% and 10.5%, respectively. It was also found that, Rosita variety was better in terms of yield than Cardinal. The percentage yield loss on Cardinal and Rosita variety was 15.59% and 6.11% by red ant and 2.01% and 4.16% by white grub, respectively. There is not significant difference in yield loss by red ant and white grub in between Cardinal and Rosita variety. The correlation between white grub population and percentage yield loss is moderately positive in both Cardinal (0.448) and Rosita (0.246) variety whereas correlation between red ant population and percentage yield loss is negative in Cardinal (-0.15) and less positive in Rosita (0.023) variety. Farmers' knowledge and practices on potato pest management and field loss information can be useful to design integrated pest management strategy for potato pest management.

Cotton leafhopper, Amrasca devastans has become very serious pest in recent years. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from under surface of the leaf causing specking symptoms, crinkling and distortion of leaves and reddening all along the sides of leaves with downward curling. A. devastans caused significant damage during early stage by sucking the cell sap of the cotton leaves. The incidence of leafhopper was recorded from 23 rd SMW to 38 th SMW at seven days interval. The maximum leafhopper population on RCH 650 BGII Bt (2.26/ leaf) was found during 33 rd SMW and on H-1098-i non-Bt (1.89/ leaf) was found during 32 nd SMW. Throughout the season the leafhopper incidence was found lower than the economic threshold in H-1098-i non-Bt. Nymphal population exhibited significant positive correlation with relative humidity and rainy days.

This research examined the technological adoption of integrated management for healthy citrus orchards by farmers in Gunuang Omeh, a sub-district in Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The adoption rate, characteristics of farmers at each level, influencing factors, and their association with fruit fly attacks, were measured. The data was obtained through a survey conducted purposively from June to December 2021 involving 351 farmers. The results of the analysis showed that the individual adoption rate was high, but for the handling of fruit flies in group was low, with the emphasis on the need for consolidation. The characteristics different at each level of adoption were: the distance from the farmer's home to the orchard and the difficulty of access to credit. Several factors influence the adoption of this technology individually were from characteristics of the farmers (number of family members and experience); citrus orchard (distance to input, output, extension, plant age); also the difficulty to access information and credit. These results suggested that intervene policies that can be done: (1) facilitate access to credit for citrus farmers, especially for the needs of large plantations. (2) provide easy access to information related to fruit fly handling simultaneously or community-based cooperation, (3) provide ease of transportation access.

juga telah terdaftar pada Crossref dan telah memiliki Digital Object Identifier (DOI) dan telah terindeks pada ISJD, IPI, Google Scholar dan DOAJ. Mulai edisi ini redaksi memandang perlu untuk meningkatkan nomor penerbitan dari dua menjadi tiga kali setahun yaitu bulan April, Agustus dan Desember berisi 12 naskah untuk setiap nomornya. Hal ini dimaksudkan untuk mengurangi masa tunggu dengan tidak menurunkan kualitas naskah yang dipublikasikan. Jurnal berkala ilmiah ini berkiprah dalam pengembangan ilmu keteknikan untuk pertanian tropika dan lingkungan hayati. Penulis makalah tidak dibatasi pada anggota PERTETA tetapi terbuka bagi masyarakat umum. Lingkup makalah, antara lain: teknik sumberdaya lahan dan air, alat dan mesin budidaya pertanian, lingkungan dan bangunan pertanian, energi alternatif dan elektrifikasi, ergonomika dan elektronika pertanian, teknik pengolahan pangan dan hasil pertanian, manajemen dan sistem informasi pertanian. Makalah dikelompokkan dalam invited paper yang menyajikan isu aktual nasional dan internasional, review perkembangan penelitian, atau penerapan ilmu dan teknologi, technical paper hasil penelitian, penerapan, atau diseminasi, serta research methodology berkaitan pengembangan modul, metode, prosedur, program aplikasi, dan lain sebagainya. Penulisan naskah harus mengikuti panduan penulisan seperti tercantum pada website dan naskah dikirim secara elektronik (online submission) melalui .

Indonesia has a high volume of import fruit especially Mandarin orange. This fact is highly asociate with the spread of new pests and diseases from their original countries to the plants in Indonesia. Therefore, quarantine treatment is important activity that must be done. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of cold treatment as a quarantine method for controlling fruit fly of Mandarin orange and to ensure the best quality of the fruit. The methods are contain from several step. First, was determine the most tolerant stage in cold temperature (2 oC and 3 oC for 18 days), then large scale trial, physical and sensory quality test. The result of pest control showed that the second instar of Bactrocera cucurbitae was the most resistant of cold treatment. Large scale trial at 3oC for 18 days has reached 100% mortality. For comparing before and after cold treatment, it was a significant difference of hardness parameter. While resulted in hedonic test showed that no significa...

An investigation was carried out to increase the vase-life and maximum buds opening of tuberose flower by eco-friendly vase solution. The maximum vase-life of cut tuberose spikes provided 12 days with continuous opening of florets till 8 th day, continuous cumulative increase in spike length, absorption of vase solution moderately decreased with periods and florets drooping were observed. When spikes were cut at basal pair opened bud stage from the field at early morning and spikes were put in to conical flask containing 5% sucrose and 100ppm aluminium sulphate as a vase solution, in post graduate laboratory of Horticulture Department at ambient temperature.

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn) is one of the most important maize pests in Romania, especially in the central and western region of the country, in hilly areas and along the main rivers, in the Danube flooded plains. However, in last years, ECB produce high damages at maize crops in south and south-east of the Romania, too. In this paper there were presented results of a study concerning both chemical and biological control of this pest at maize crop, between 2016 and 2018, in the climatic conditions from south-east of the Romania. The experiences were carried out at NARDI Fundulea, Calarasi County. Five days before foliar spraying, maize plants were artificial infested witch ECB egg batches produced in laboratory conditions, from insects reared consecutive generations, using same artificial diet. Climatic conditions from first 15 days of July, when it has made artificial infestation of the maize plants were favourable for ECB attack in all studied years. As result, th...

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major Kharif crops in Pakistan with highest yield among the cereals. It is cultivated approximately on an area of 1015 thousand hectare with total annual grain production of 3313 thousand tons and an average yield of 3264 kg/hectare (Anonymous, 2007). Maize contributes about 6.4% of the total production of the country. Its grain contains considerably more starch, fat and vitamin A as compared to other cereal. Maize is recommended to heart patients due to cholesterol free nature. (Maitti and WischeEbelling, 1998). The most important insect pests in maize are the maize and jowar stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani) (Diptera: Muscidae), Army worm (Mythimna separata Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and many other species of aphids. The infestation ultimately results in total failure of crop (Singh and Sharma, 1984). In the most infested area, the insect damages in maize crop are up to 50% ...