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In India, more than 85% of the total potato production is realised from the subtropical Indo-Gangetic plains where potato is cultivated during winter. The cotton whitefly, B. tabaci is a major pest of potato as it transmits the Tomato... more
In India, more than 85% of the total potato production is realised from the subtropical Indo-Gangetic plains where potato is cultivated during winter. The cotton whitefly, B. tabaci is a major pest of potato as it transmits the Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (potato) causing the Apical leaf curl disease which leads to huge yield losses. The population dynamics of cotton whitefly was studied at 12 locations across the northern plains of India from 2015–17. It was observed that the cotton whitefly appears on potato immediately after crop emergence. The whitefly adults exhibited four different patterns of population dynamics at different locations. Whiteflies remained on the potato crop as long as minimum daily temperature was above 10–12ºC after which the whiteflies either disappeared from the crops or their flight activity was considerably reduced as indicted by the yellow sticky trap catch data. The whitefly incidence was higher at locations where potato is preceded by crops ...
Research Interests: Whitefly()
()
Field experiments were conducted at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute-Regional Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate efficacy of mineral and non-edible seed oils against green-peach aphid Myzus... more
Field experiments were conducted at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute-Regional Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate efficacy of mineral and non-edible seed oils against green-peach aphid Myzus persicae and cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci in potato. Three sprays were done at 15 days interval revealed that maximum reduction in their incidence was observed with imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.03%) followed by mineral oil (6 ml/ l); B. tabaci incidence reduced by 72.63% and 61.06%, respectively, while it was 87.60% and 62.27% with M. persicae. Similar trend was observed with all the three sprays. The non-edible oils were not effective. Incidence of viruses was the least (0.26 and 0.27%, respectively) with imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.03%) and mineral oil (6 ml/ l). Thus, imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.03%) and mineral oil (6 ml/ l) can be recommended to manage vector-virus complex in potato.
Research Interests:
The exciting developments in boron research in the past few years greatly contributed to better understanding of the role of boron in plants. Isolation and characterization of the boron–polysaccharide complex from cell walls provided the... more
The exciting developments in boron research in the past few years greatly contributed to better understanding of the role of boron in plants. Isolation and characterization of the boron–polysaccharide complex from cell walls provided the first direct evidence for boron crosslinking of pectin polymers. Inhibition and recovery of proton release upon boron withdrawal and restitution in plant culture medium demonstrated boron involvement in membrane processes. Rapid boron-induced changes in membrane function could be attributed to boron-complexing membrane constituents. Molecular studies of boron nutrition have been initiated by the discovery of a novel mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana with an altered requirement for boron. Besides this, boron fertilization regardless of application mode increases pollination, fruit set, fruit yield and quality of temperate fruits. Moreover, it enhances the marketable fruit yield of many fruits by decreasing physiological disorders to a great extent. Posi...
Aphis pomi De Geer, the green apple aphid, is an economic pest of apple and other rosaceae throughout the world. In the present study, functional responses of the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, Eristalis tenax (L.), Eristalis... more
Aphis pomi De Geer, the green apple aphid, is an economic pest of apple and other rosaceae throughout the world. In the present study, functional responses of the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, Eristalis tenax (L.), Eristalis interruptus (Poda), and Sphaerophoria scripta (L.), to A. pomi were studied under laboratory conditions to determine their relative predatory potential. The second- and third-instar larvae of the predators were exposed to increasing densities of similar-sized A. pomi nymphs in Petri dishes. Ep. balteatus was found to possess the highest consumption rate followed by Er. tenax, Er. interruptus, and S. scripta. All predator species and stages exhibited a Type II functional response. The coefficients of attack rate and handling time showed an insignificant variation between species and preying stages, suggesting equal potential of the four syrphid species to regulate A. pomi colonies.
Research Interests:
The biodiversity of predaceous coccinellids was worked out in major fruit and vegetable growing belts of Kashmir valley during the cropping season of 2011. Two locations from each district, with both pesticide-treated and pesticide-free... more
The biodiversity of predaceous coccinellids was worked out in major fruit and vegetable growing belts of Kashmir valley during the cropping season of 2011. Two locations from each district, with both pesticide-treated and pesticide-free orchards of fruit crops viz., apple, pear and cherry and vegetable fields viz., kale, knolkhol, cabbage and cauliflower were sampled for adult coccinellids. The study revealed the presence of 17 and 15 species of predaceous coccinellids in fruit and vegetable ecosystems, respectively. Less intensively cultivated crops like pear, kale and knolkhol were found to be comparatively rich in ladybeetle diversity. Higher values of biodiversity indices were noted for fruit orchards as compared to those of vegetable fields. Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata and Adalia teraspilota turned out to be the predominant species in fruit orchards in decreasing order while A. teraspilota was noted as the predominant species in vegetable ecosystems followed...
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Zoology, Reproduction, Longevity, Brassicaceae, Female, and 6 moreAnimals, Aphids, Male, Beetles, Predatory Behavior, and Food Chain
ABSTRACT Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular lipids and fatty acids, leading to desiccation in arthropods. Numerous DE... more
ABSTRACT Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular lipids and fatty acids, leading to desiccation in arthropods. Numerous DE formulations have been attempted for the management of stored-product pests with good results. DE is persistent in its action, poses few or no pest resistance problems, and it leaves no residue. The efficacy of DE is affected by factors such as its provenance, temperature, humidity and characteristics of target pests and substrate. Application of DE at currently recommended doses causes changes in bulk density of the grain; however, the use of enhanced DE formulations provides control at much lower doses. Therefore, new formulations of DEs usually include other low toxicity insecticides.
Research Interests:
Stored grains are subject to deterioration and losses through various factors, but mainly insects and fungi. Various techniques are employed to detect stored product pests; however, there is an urgent need for an industrial-scale on-line... more
Stored grains are subject to deterioration and losses through various factors, but mainly insects and fungi. Various techniques are employed to detect stored product pests; however, there is an urgent need for an industrial-scale on-line detection technique. Near-infrared hyperspectroscopic imaging and soft X-rays have shown the potential for real-time application. These techniques are particularly effective for detecting internal infestations of stored grains. The digital images of the scanned objects are analyzed for various spectral and image features using statistical techniques such as complex multivariate tools. Classification accuracies as high as 80-100 % have been achieved for various pest and grain combinations. Dual- energy X-rays have been shown to detect the concealed eggs of stored product insect pests. The main threats to stored cereals come from Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp., which may produce mycotoxins. These imaging techniques have shown good results in the detection of fungal infections of stored grain.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of several economically important crops with worldwide distribution. Use of insecticides is the principal strategy for its management, which has subsequently led to... more
Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of several economically important crops with worldwide distribution. Use of insecticides is the principal strategy for its management, which has subsequently led to insecticide resistance and control failures. Functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at larval and adult stages was evaluated in this study, using S. litura eggs as the prey at various temperatures varying between 15 and 35 °C. Based on logistic model findings, linear parameters of various predatory stages of H. axyridis at various temperatures were significantly negative, which indicate a type II functional response. The theoretical maximum number (T/Th) of eggs consumed increased with increasing temperature across all predatory stages. According to the random predator equation, the coefficients of attack rate increased and that of handling time decreased as the temperature increased. The 4th instar and adult sta...
Research Interests: Insects()
()
In India, more than 85% of the total potato production is realised from the subtropical Indo-Gangetic plains where potato is cultivated during winter. The cotton whitefly, B. tabaci is a major pest of potato as it transmits the Tomato... more
In India, more than 85% of the total potato production is realised from the subtropical Indo-Gangetic plains where potato is cultivated during winter. The cotton whitefly, B. tabaci is a major pest of potato as it transmits the Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (potato) causing the Apical leaf curl disease which leads to huge yield losses. The population dynamics of cotton whitefly was studied at 12 locations across the northern plains of India from 2015-17. It was observed that the cotton whitefly appears on potato immediately after crop emergence. The whitefly adults exhibited four different patterns of population dynamics at different locations. Whiteflies remained on the potato crop as long as minimum daily temperature was above 10-12ºC after which the whiteflies either disappeared from the crops or their flight activity was considerably reduced as indicted by the yellow sticky trap catch data. The whitefly incidence was higher at locations where potato is preceded by crops preferred by whitefly such as cotton, broad beans, groundnut etc. Perusal of the data on number of eggs laid and ensuing nymphs per plant indicated that the contribution of immigrating adults to the whitefly population is much higher than that of the colonising population for major part of the crop period. Thus, in addition to temperature, cropping sequence acts as a major factor in shaping the pattern of whitefly infestation. The results will help in deciding cropping pattern and better timing of insecticidal applications for healthy seed potato production.
Research Interests: Whitefly()
()
Stored grains are subject to deterioration and losses through various factors, but mainly insects and fungi. Various techniques are employed to detect stored product pests; however, there is an urgent need for an industrial-scale on-line... more
Stored grains are subject to deterioration and
losses through various factors, but mainly insects and
fungi. Various techniques are employed to detect stored
product pests; however, there is an urgent need for an
industrial-scale on-line detection technique. Near-infrared
hyperspectroscopic imaging and soft X-rays have shown
the potential for real-time application. These techniques are
particularly effective for detecting internal infestations of
stored grains. The digital images of the scanned objects are
analyzed for various spectral and image features using
statistical techniques such as complex multivariate tools.
Classification accuracies as high as 80–100 % have been
achieved for various pest and grain combinations. Dualenergy
X-rays have been shown to detect the concealed
eggs of stored product insect pests. The main threats to
stored cereals come from Aspergillus spp., Penicillium
spp., and Fusarium spp., which may produce mycotoxins.
These imaging techniques have shown good results in the
detection of fungal infections of stored grain.
losses through various factors, but mainly insects and
fungi. Various techniques are employed to detect stored
product pests; however, there is an urgent need for an
industrial-scale on-line detection technique. Near-infrared
hyperspectroscopic imaging and soft X-rays have shown
the potential for real-time application. These techniques are
particularly effective for detecting internal infestations of
stored grains. The digital images of the scanned objects are
analyzed for various spectral and image features using
statistical techniques such as complex multivariate tools.
Classification accuracies as high as 80–100 % have been
achieved for various pest and grain combinations. Dualenergy
X-rays have been shown to detect the concealed
eggs of stored product insect pests. The main threats to
stored cereals come from Aspergillus spp., Penicillium
spp., and Fusarium spp., which may produce mycotoxins.
These imaging techniques have shown good results in the
detection of fungal infections of stored grain.
Research Interests:
Aphis pomi De Geer, the green apple aphid, is an economic pest of apple and other rosaceae throughout the world. In the present study, functional responses of the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, Eristalis tenax (L.), Eristalis... more
Aphis pomi De Geer, the green apple aphid, is an economic pest of apple and other rosaceae throughout the world. In the present study, functional responses of the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, Eristalis tenax (L.), Eristalis interruptus (Poda), and Sphaerophoria scripta (L.), to A. pomi were studied under laboratory conditions to determine their relative predatory potential. The second-and third-instar larvae of the predators were exposed to increasing densities of similar-sized A. pomi nymphs in Petri dishes. Ep. balteatus was found to possess the highest consumption rate followed by Er. tenax, Er. interruptus, and S. scripta. All predator species and stages exhibited a Type II functional response. The coefficients of attack rate and handling time showed an insignificant variation between species and preying stages, suggesting equal potential of the four syrphid species to regulate A. pomi colonies.
Research Interests: Ecology()
()
DNA barcoding has great potential as a species identification tool because it is practical and affordable to perform and, more often than not, shows species-level separations. Currently, efforts are on to barcode all major groups of... more
DNA barcoding has great potential as a species identification tool because it is practical and affordable to perform and, more often than not, shows species-level separations. Currently, efforts are on to barcode all major groups of animals including insects and millions of species have been barcoded. Other than as a species identification tool, DNA barcoding has been applied to solve many complex ecological phenomena. DNA barcoding is emerging as a simple and very reliable tool for studying host-parasitoid interactions and to establish the host range of phytophagous insects which has changed the perspective of many food webs. DNA barcoding has shown potential as incontestable identification tool for biosecurity purposes with global application. DNA barcoding is also being utilised to document the biodiversity of past and present with reasonable efficiency.
Research Interests:
Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular... more
Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular lipids and fatty acids, leading to desiccation in arthropods. Numerous DE formulations have been attempted for the management of stored-product pests with good results. DE is persistent in its action, poses few or no pest resistance problems, and it leaves no residue. The efficacy of DE is affected by factors such as: its provenance, temperature, humidity and characteristics of target pests and substrate. Application of DE at currently recommended doses causes changes in bulk density of the grain; however, the use of enhanced DE formulations provides control at much lower doses. Therefore, new formulations of DEs usually include other low toxicity insecticides.
The biodiversity of predaceous coccinellids was worked out in major fruit and vegetable growing belts of Kashmir valley during the cropping season of 2011. Two locations from each district, with both pesticide-treated and pesticide-free... more
The biodiversity of predaceous coccinellids was worked out in major fruit and vegetable growing belts of Kashmir valley during the cropping season of 2011. Two locations from each district, with both pesticide-treated and pesticide-free orchards of fruit crops viz., apple, pear and cherry and vegetable fields viz., kale, knolkhol, cabbage and cauliflower were sampled for adult coccinellids. The study revealed the presence of 17 and 15 species of predaceous coccinellids in fruit and vegetable ecosystems, respectively. Less intensively cultivated crops like pear, kale and knolkhol were found to be comparatively rich in ladybeetle diversity. Higher values of biodiversity indices were noted for fruit orchards as compared to those of vegetable fields. Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata and Adalia teraspilota turned out to be the predominant species in fruit orchards in decreasing order while A. teraspilota was noted as the predominant species in vegetable ecosystems followed by H. variegata and C. septempunctata. Pesticide treated ecosystems were found to support less number of ladybeetle species. The sprayed orchards were found to have 14 species of as compared to 17 in unsprayed ones. Similarly, only 10 species were recovered from the sprayed vegetable fields as compared to 12 from unsprayed fields. The biodiversity indices indicated appreciable effect of pesticide application on the coccinellids assemblages.