The Journal of Plant Protection Sciences
The Journal of Plant Protection Sciences (JPPS) is a bi-annual publication dedicated to advancing research in the field of plant protection. It invites high-quality submissions, including: Full Research Articles: Comprehensive studies presenting original research findings, which are given top priority. Short Communications: Concise reports addressing specific aspects of plant protection. The journal also encourages review articles that explore current challenges, propose innovative solutions, and link the future of crop protection to its historical roots. All submissions undergo a thorough peer-review process and must be written in clear, concise English (UK/India). Researchers and authors from both within and outside the membership are welcome to contribute, offering an excellent platform to share their findings and insights with the scientific community. JPPS is committed to publishing impactful research that drives the field of plant protection forward.
Pests infesting ornamental plants in hilly region of West Bengal
The survey was conducted during 2005-07 at the farms of R.R.S., UBKV, Kalimpong; R.R.S.S., UBKV, Pedong and other adjoining areas. The Crops surveyed included gladiolus, carnation, anthurium gerbera, china rose, chrysanthemum, Bird of Paradise, Straw flower. A number of aphid species were found infesting different ornamental plants viz. Myzus persicae on Carnation, gerbera and Anthurium; Macrosiphoniella sanborni on Chrysanthemum; Aphis gossypii on China rose. Other sucking pests infesting ornamentals included Bemisia tabaci on Gerbera, leafhopper on Gladiolus and scale insect (unspecified) on Anthurium. Amongst the thysanopteran pests Taeniothrips simplex was very much serious on Gladiolus and another species of thrips (unspecified) was found infesting Carnation.
Efficacy of some insecticides against cashew tea mosquito bug Helopeltis antonii Sign
Cashew is one of the major significant sources of foreign currency for our country and it is also one ofthe important crops of Konkan region of Maharashtra State. Nearly 60 different pests have been reported on cashew. Among them the Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis antonii Sign. is the most serious one, which is responsible for considerable yield losses in cashew. A field trial was conducted during 2005 at Cashew Research Farm, Regional Fruit Research station, Vengurle, Dist. Sindhudurg, (M.S.)with an objective to identify an alternative insecticide for management of Tea Mosquito Bug relative to the recommended spray schedule. The results indicated that out of six treatments selected, the treatment of 0.003% lambda-cyhalothrin was observed significantly superior over all other treatments
Integration of chemical botanical and microbial insecticides for control of thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood infesting chilli
A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2004-05 and 2005-06 to evaluate the effectiveness of different conventional & eco-friendly insecticide (synthetic and biological origin) against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) infesting chilli (Capsicum frutescens). The effectiveness of four insecticides acetamiprid 0.004% (Dhanpreet – 20% SP), thiamethoxam 0.005% (Avant-25% WG), neem pesticide 0.4% (ultineem 1% W/W) and Bacillusthuringiensis, subsp. kurstaki (BT) at gL- 1 was evaluated in the field of Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal against thrips. It is evident from the result of present investigation that acetamiprid and thiamithoxam were mo BT (43.43%) were found moderately effective. However, two sprays of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam followed by two sprays of neem pesticide and BT proved to be effective for management of thrips and it gave highest marketable yield, higher cost benefit ratio and percent reduction in thrips’ population.
Plant products for the management of yellow mosaic disease of mungbean and urdbean
An experiment was designed to test the efficacy of a few botanical extracts on the yellow mosaic of mug bean. Maximum reduction in disease incidence recorded were 66.70 and 63.65 percent in mungbean and Urdbean, respectively by eight sprays of Clerodendrum aculeatum. Whereas, eight sprays of Boerhaavia diffusa root extract could reduce the disease incidence by 60.27 and 58.20 per cent followed by Azadirachta indica leaf extract by 42.43 and 42.92 percent in mungbean and urdbean, respectively. Maximum plant height (70.90 and 56.20 cm), primary branches (6.36 and 6.38 per plant), secondary branches (13.56 and 10.68 per plant), nodules (27.48 and 37.69 per plant), pods (17.25 and 22.85 per plant), seed yield (4.43 and 3.89 g per plant) were recorded in eight sprays with Clerodendrum aculeatum leaf extract followed by eight sprays with Boerhaavia diffusa root extract and Azadirachta indica leaf extract.
Population dynamics of mustard aphid on different Brassica cultivars under terai agro-ecological conditions of West Bengal
Experiments were conducted at the Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar during rabi season of 2002-03 and 2003-04 to study the population dynamics of mustard aphid on seven popular rapeseed-mustard cultivars. The incidence of aphid commenced from 52nd to 2nd standard week with a very low population levels on all the cultivars. The aphid (Lipaphis erysimi)population attained peak level from 7th to 9th standard week. The correlation coefficients between aphid population and different abiotic factors revealed contradictory results. Except for a few instances the weather parameters showed low order of associations with aphid population. Thus, the ecological factors exhibited little impact on the population build up of mustard aphid. The degree of infestation and the rates of population change of the aphids on different Brassica cultivars seem to be governed by varietal characteristics of different germplasms. Brassica campestris varieties as a group harbouredrelatively higher populations of the aphid than Brassica juncea varieties.
Incidence of saw fly, Athalia lugens proxima Klug. as influenced by level of irrigation and fertilizers on mustard
The experiments were conducted in the Instructional farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal in two successive Rabi seasons of 2005-06 and 2006-07with an objective to study the incidence of saw fly (Athalia lugens proxima Klug.) as influenced by level of irrigation and fertilizers on mustard c.v. NC-1 (Jhumka) of Brassica campestris var. yellow sarson. Highest saw fly population (0.26 larvae/plant) was recorded on the crop grown without irrigation and medium level of fertilizers (60:30:30 Kg NPK ha-1) while lowest population level (0.10 larvae/plant) was observed at highest level of irrigation (three) coupled with medium level of fertilizers (60:30:30 kg NPK ha-1) and two irrigations coupled with lowest level of fertilizers (40:20:20 Kg NPK ha-1).
Infestation of coconut eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer in Konkan region of Maharashtra
The coconut eriophyid mite was reported to cause damage in coconut plantations in Konkan region of Maharashtra from January 2002. Three orchards from this area were surveyed to record infestation level of this pest in April and October of 2004 and March 2005. The survey indicated that the infestation was higher in Thane district followed by Sindhudurg district.
Bioefficacy of some indigenous plant extracts against epilachna beetle (Henosepilachn
A field trial was conducted on ‘Barapata’ variety of cucumber in a replicated Randomized Block Design at Viswavidyalaya Instructional Farm during 2004–05 to find out the impact of plant derived pesticides viz; Neem Azal, Rhizome extracts of Acorus calamus with petroleum ether as solvent and seed extracts of Annona squamosa with methanol as solvent in controlling epilachna beetle,Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Fabr; Both Neem Azal and seed extracts of Annona squamosa were used at 4ml, 5ml and 6ml (per Lt. of water) while this was 1ml, 2ml and 3ml (per Lt. of water)in case of petroleum ether extract of rhizome of Acorus calamus. Endosulfan 35 EC was used at 1ml,1.5ml and 2ml (per Lt. of water) to compare the efficacy of plant products. Results of the experiment revealed that Endosulfan 35 EC at 2mL-1 of water performed very well in reducing population buildup of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Fabr. to the extent of 75.00%, while among the botanical revealed that Endosulfan 35 EC at 2mL-1 of water performed very well in reducing population build up of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Fabr. to the extent of 75.00%, while among the botanical Acorus calamus at 2mL-1 of water.
Biological control of earhead caterpillar, Helicoverpea armigera Hubner in sorghum
A field experiment was conducted with biopesticides viz., Nomurae rileyi (Farlow) Samson and NPV of Helicoverpa armigera (HNPV) and compared with chemical control with Melathian 5% @ 30 kg.ha-1 for the management of ear head caterpillar (H. armigera) in sorghum ecosystem of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The mycoinsecticide N. rileyi was highly infective at both the dosages 1x108 conidia per litre & 2x108 conidia per litre against H. armigera as compared to Ha NPV 250 LE per hectare and chemical control in mitigating the pest population as well as in obtaining the higher yield.
Evaluation of plant products aganist sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani
A field experiment was conducted to evalute the efficacy of different plant products against sorghum shoot fly during Kharif 2005 at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The different plantproducts used in the study were, Vitex negundo, NSKE, Adathoda vesica, Pongamia glabra, Vincarosea, Butea monosperma, Aloevera @ 5% concentration and were compared with carbofuran 3 G @30 kg. ha-1 to know its efficacy on shoot fly in sorghum ecosystem. The results clearly indicated that NSKE (5%) recorded less eggs of shoot fly (0.40egg/plant), per cent dead heart (14.97%) and maximum grain yield of 13.22 q.ha-1 among different plant products. The next best plant product was found to be V. negundo @ 5% in recording less incidence of shoot fly and obtaining higher grain yield. However,
Utilization of botanicals in the management of the coconut perianth mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer
The experiment on utilization of botanicals in the management of the coconut perianth mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, Karnataka during 2003-04 with nine treatments. The results of the present study indicated that among different botanicals, NSKE 5 percent was found significantly superior in reducing the mite population with higher healthy nuts (81 nuts 4 bunches), least percentof damaged nut (65 per cent) and highest benefit which was on par with wettable sulphur. The next best treatmentwas neem oil 2 percent.
Bioefficacy of some indigenous products in the management of okra fruit borers
A field experiment was conducted in kharif, 2003 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to evaluate the bioefficacy of some indigenous products against okra fruit borers, Earias vittella Fabricius and Helicoverpa armigera Hubner. Different indigenous products like NSKE (5%), GCKE, sweet flag extract (5%), garlic extract (5%), cow dung (10%) and cow urine (10%) were tried individually and in combinations along with endosulfan (0.07%) and untreated control. Repeated sprays of GCKE recorded least number of eggs (1.40 eggs/plant) followed by NSKE (5%) alternated with cow dung 10 per cent (1.71 eggs and cow urine used individually were not effective against the borers and recorded higher fruit damage of 55.70 and 52.10 per cent, respectively. GCKE was significantly superior in reducing the fruit borer damage to the tune of 64.83 per cent with higherbenefit: cost ratio was noticed in endosulfan treatment (15.00) followed by treatment involving NSKE alternated with cow urine 10% (13.00), repeated sprays of GCKE (10) and NSKE alternated with cowdung 10% (7.90).
Dynamics and severity model in managing fungal diseases
A survey was undertaken during 1996-1997 in different commercial perennial ornamentals in gardens and nurseries at Bolpur, Santiniketan and Sriniketan of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India, to study the fungal diseases of some commercial ornamentals. The leaf spot of Ficus religiosa (c.o. Alternaria sp.) is the first record. Fifteen fungal diseases have been formally described from West Bengal for the first time on these twelve ornamentals. Monthly dynamics was determined for occurrence, intensity and severity of these diseases.
Some disease management practices for bacterial wilt of potato
Bacterial wilt [c.o. - Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.] is one of the threatening potato diseases. To study the effect of some disease management practices in potato, an investigation was conducted in slightly acidic (pH 5.62) loamy sand soil with medium fertility status in a Randomised Block Design with three replicates and seven treatment modules, as described in Materials & Methods. Investigation revealed that T1 (TPS whole tuber planting) and T4 (supervised management - cowdung
Developing site-specific appropriate precision agriculture
As conceived in the “West”, Precision Agriculture (PA) may be suitable for capital-intensive, high turnover economy, high technology monoculture and controlled management of a single major soil borne pathogen or pest across vast cultivated area but not for the peasant farming or the pest complex ridden unaided agriculture as in India. PA is not about an abstract of characterization. The specific values indicating variations in population at exact grids and helping the individual farmer in decision making in pest management at varied pesticide doses depending on varied soil pest population intensity and spatial distribution. Often it ends up in reducing the quantum of a pesticide threatened with withdrawal. We understand Appropriate PA (Appropriate Precision Agriculture, APA) as Site-Specific Appropriate Precision Agriculture (SSAPA) applied to cropping system management with withdrawal.
Eco-friendly management of mealybug and wilt in pineapple
In an on-farm RBD trial (3 treatments, 8 replicates) in 2006-07 at Chopra, Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, for eco-friendly pest management of mealy bug, Dysmicoccus brevipes Cockerell in pineapple, the treatments were: T1 [Farmers’ practice: phorate 10 G @ 20 kgha-1 during planting + monocrotophos 36% EC @ 0.03% at 100 DAP + endosulfan 35% EC @ 0.02% during 150-180 DAP]; T2 [Treating planting materials (basal portion) with monocrotophos 36% EC @ 0.02% + phorate 10 G @ 15 kg ha-1at 100 DAP + Neem oil 1500 ppm spray @ 2.5 m/L-1 at 150 DAP]; T3 [Treating planting materials (basal portion) with monocrotophos 36% EC @ 0 15 kgha-1 at 100 DAP + neem cake @ 1.5 tha-1 at 180 DAP + three times manual weeding]. By yield performance and reduction of percentage of wilted plants and mealy bug population, T3 was the best and T2 ranked second. Percent of wilted plants in T1 , T2 and T3 were 11.88, 4.19, 2.62; mean mealy bug population/plant were 9.33, 5.29, 4.20, and yields were 32.5 tha-1, 38.7 tha-1, 41.6 tha-1, respectively. Benefit: Cost ratio was highest in T3 (1.30)
Comparative ecological behaviour of some pre- and post-tsunami isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride from Andaman & Nicobar Islands
A comparative ecological study of some pre- and post Tsunami isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, was undertaken to assess the effect on some ecological behavoiur of these biocontrol agents. All the isolates showed better parasitic ability and rhizosphere colonization when the competition of other organisms withdrawn compared to natural and sun dried soil. Both competitive parasitic behaviour and rhizosphere colonization was low inpost-Tsunami isolates of Trichoderma. The chlamydospore inoculum was found best in percentagecolonization of sclerotia of boh R. solani and S. rolfsii, followed by mycelial and conidial inoculum.The isolate ThrAN-5 (T. harzianum) was most efficient in parasitizing the sclerotia of S.
Efficacy of low dose of herbicides against weeds in transplanted kharif rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Comparative efficacy of penoxsulum 24 SC against weeds in transplanted kharif rice was studied atRegional Research Sub-Station (New Alluvial Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,Chakdaha, Nadia, West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 7treatments and 3 replications. The results revealed that the major weed flora associated with the transplanted rice during kharif season was mainly comprised of Echinochloa colona (30 %), Cyperusdifformis (20 %), Monochoria vaginalis (30 %) and Ludwigia parviflora (20 %). Penoxsulam 24 SCat 0.0225 kg a.i. ha-1 applied at 8-12 days after transplanting was most effective to check all types ofweed population and their growth. This treatment also gave the maximum grain yield (3.53 tha-1) andstraw yield (4.73 tha-1) of rice resulting in lowest weed index (5.61 %). Therefore,
Evaluation of plant extracts against Rhizoctonia solani causing sheath blight of rice
The antifungal effect of 44 plant extracts and 8 plant oils against the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was evaluated by disc diffusion method. Out of 44 plants tested, 36 plant extracts showed varied degree of antimicrobial effect at different concentrations against the pathogen whereas 8 plant extracts, viz. Abrus precatorious, Acacia auriculiformis, Bougainvillea glabra, Convolvulus arvensis, Hibiscus
Occurrence of aphids on various potato germplasms in eastern gangetic plains of West Bengal
A field investigation was conducted for two consecutive years of 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Adisaptagram Block Seed Farm, Hoogly, West Bengal to find out the incidence pattern and population dynamics of aphids on various potato germplasms. The common potato germplasms viz Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Jawhar along with three processing varieties like Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona 2 and Atlantic were screened against aphids.
Biology, seasonal incidence and management of Apsylla cistellata Bucton. on mango in West Bengal
Mango is attacked by various insect pests among which mango shoot gall psylla Apsylla cistellata Bucton.(Psyllidae: Hemiptera) is the most important one in the district of Malda and Murshidabad, West Bengal. Adult females of the pest had been found to lay eggs at the sides of midribs during first week to end of March. Incubation period lasted from first week of March to middle of August. Eggs hatched in the middle of August and gall formation had been found to start from first week of September.
New pesticide molecules, formulation technology and uses: Present status and future challenges
Mankind has a history of using crop protection products from non-selective, naturally occurring compounds to highly specific synthetic and biological materials for assured food production and protection of environment since long time. There is a sequential rise in the production and consumption of pesticides in India during the last three decades. Researches are going on to develop safer molecules which could undergo photo-degradation, microbial degradation as well as chemical degradation leaving very less amount of residues in the environment. Conventional pesticide formulations like WP, EC etc are endangering human health and polluting environment. Newly developed modern formulations like water emulsifiable gel, floating granules, drift less dust, macro and micro encapsulated suspension, hollow fibers, monolithic matrix, laminated structures etc can avoid these problems. The prime motto for these developments is to give protection to the crops along with safety to the natural enemies of different pests as a whole safety to environment.
Decades of researches in biochemical and molecular nematology at IARI
Like any other branch of Agricultural Sciences, the Division of Nematology at IARI, initiated researches in the exciting field of biochemistry and molecular biology of plant parasitic nematodes during the early seventies of last century. The main research areas were biochemical mechanism of resistance against phytonematodes and diagnostics of economically important plant parasitic nematodes.
Field efficacy of some insecticides against whitefly infesting mulberry, Morus alba L.
The whitefly, Dialeupora decempuncta it was felt necessary to study the field efficacy of Q u a i n t a n c e & B a k e r ( H o m o p t e r a : these insecticides against Dialeuropora Aleyrodidae), is a polyphagous pest, started decempuncta.causing severe damage to mulberry Morus The experiment was conducted at Central alba L since 1994. They suck leaf sap causing Sericultural Research & Training Institute, chlorosis, dryness of leaves, leaf curl and sooty Berhampore, West Bengal during August to mould disease and give effect to a culminating November 2009.
Comparative efficacy of insecticides and neem formulations against Litchi fruit borer, Conopomorpha cramerella Snellen (Gracillariidae: Lepidoptera)
The litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is one of the 0.008%, azadirachtin 0.15% EC at 5ml/L, important fruits growing in the tropical and sub- Azadirachtin 1% EC at 3 ml/L ,4ml/L 6ml/L and tropical regions. It has high export potential. there was one untreated control. Each treatment Litchi is infested by eleven major and minor was replicated 5 times.
Integrated weed management in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus)
Weeds cause heavy loss to the lentil (Lens Lentil variety B 256 (Ranjan) was sown at a row culinaris Medikus) crop as they rob the soil of spacing of 25 cm during December 04, 2003 its nutrients and moisture (1). The crop and November 30, 2004. The individual plot competes poorly with many weed species size was 4.0 m x 3.0m.
Weather based forewarning of root mealy bug, Paraputo sp. (Pseudococcidae : Hemiptera) in mulberry of Kalimpong hills
Kalimpong hills in Darjeeling district endowed forewarning or prediction system by with sub-tropical climate, is congenial for monitoring or predicting the pest population rearing of bivoltine silkworm superior in (10). It is being widely used in the agricultural quality in comparison to hybrids reared in production system now-a-days as a tool for plains of West Bengal. Bivoltine silkworms can lesser damage to natural enemy complex and be successfully reared during March-October also limits environmental pollution by way of when adequate rainfall and prevailing reduced pesticide application on requirement temperature facilitates production of adequate basis and apply when necessary strategy. The mulberry foliage.
Occurrence of insect pests on frenchbean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Darjeeling hills
Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an 2009. Variety 'Lakshmi' was sown during important leguminous vegetable grown middle of March in a spacing of 45 X 10 cm in extensively in the hilly region of Darjeeling, the field plot of 200 square meter. West Bengal. In this region, the crop is sown in Recommended agronomic practices were the month of March and harvested in June to followed to raise the crop except the use of any escape low temperature as well as hot or rainy plant protection chemicals. Observations on weather. With the introduction of high yielding pest populations were recorded at weekly varieties and intensive cultivation practices, the interval from fifty plants at random selecting pest problem in this crop might undergo five locations in the field one each in each spectacular changes. Several workers have quarter and one in the middle of ten plants each studied the pest complex of frenchbean in starting one week after sowing till maturity of various parts of the country (1, 2, 3). the crop. The number of jassid and whitefly was Information on the occurrence of pest complex counted visually by observing the lower surface is an essential pre-requisite for developing a of the leaf (trifoliate) after selecting three leaves suitable pest management strategy. However, from upper, middle and lower crop canopy. such information in the context of changing pest Number of leaf folder larvae, leaf beetles and scenario is meagre particularly from this region. Epilachna beetles were counted from each Hence the present investigation was carried out plant. Simple correlations were worked out to generate information on the diversity and between various pests after calculating their abundance of insect pests infesting frenchbean.
Proteomic analysis of soybean cyst nematode
The soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera expression in SCN during its life cycle from J2 glycines) is the major pest of soybean in the to adult. In recent years, the application of U.S. Infections of soybean by SCN include proteomic tools such as two-dimensional chlorosis, root necrosis, loss in seed yield and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D suppression of growth of root and shoots. PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption Chemical control for soybean is not normally /ionization time of flight mass spectrometry used because economic and environmental ( M A L D I - T O F - M S ) , a n d l i q u i d costs of the few effective treatments are chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS) prohibitive.
Rot diseases of muga host, Som (Persea bombycina) in Assam, India
Som (Persea bombycina, King. ex Hook. f. Kost.), the primary food plant of muga silkworm, (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) growing mainly in North Eastern region and Uttaranchal State in India. India is unique in producing the golden muga silk and has monopoly in global silk market grows up to 20-25 meters and survives for 18-20 years. Pollarding of Som plant at 6 ft height is a common practice in North Eastern region of India for controlled rearing (outdoor) of muga silkworm. It was observed that stems of som plant (specifically the pollarded plants) were generally infected with rot disease when it grows older. Phellinus contigus (under Polyporaceae), a white rot fungus, causes heart rot disease and Biscogniauxia mediterranea (= Hypoxylon mediterranea) (under Xylariaceae) causes canker rot disease of Som plant. A survey was conducted to study the infection of rotting pathogens on Som plants at Regional Muga Research Station (RMRS), Boko, Assam, India with during 2004-06. The disease incidence (DI %) caused by B. mediterranea was 12% while P.contigus showed 20% infection. Corelating the age of Som plants with susceptibility rot infection was found to be maximum in 10 years old plantation.