Development of Low Cost Artificial Diet for Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Nematode, Heterorhabditis indica a Strain ICRI EPN-18

P. Thiyagarajan — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 IST

Eight different diets were compared for maximum production of entomopathogenic nematode infected Galleria cadavers with cheaper/ low cost in the laboratory. Among eight artificial diet composition tried, low grade milk powder 100 g, low grade glycerin 100 ml, honey 100 ml, corn flour 200 g, wheat bran 100 g, wheat flour 100 g and yeast 50 g produced almost maximum Galleria larvae with EPN infected cadavers and EPN infective juveniles (IJs) with cheaper cost while, the diet containing, ragi powder 100 g instead of milk powder, honey 100 ml, high grade glycerin 100 ml, corn flour 200 g, wheat bran 100 g, wheat flour 100 g and yeast 50 g produced least number of EPN infected Galleria cadavers and EPN IJs. Among the diet compositions, sugar solution 100 ml instead of honey along with other ingredients used, did not emerge or produce larvae from the Galleria eggs.

How to Cite

Thiyagarajan, P., Varna, M., Ansar Ali, M.A., Rema Shree, A.B., 2023. Development of low cost artificial diet for mass production of entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis indica a strain ICRI EPN-18. Plant Health Archives 1(2), 34-36. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.2.2023/34-36.

Isolation and Characterization of the Incitant of Leaf Spot of Turmeric and in-vitro Efficacy of Native Isolate of Endophytic Bacteria

Madhusmita Mahanta — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 IST

Turmeric, Curcuma longa L. is an important commercial spice crop cultivated in Meghalaya covering 2,649 ha area with 16,497 MT productions. However, the turmeric cultivation is severely affected by leaf spot disease limiting its yield. So, the present study was conducted to identify the pathogen associated with leaf spot disease of turmeric as well as to check the efficiency of bacterial endophytes in managing the disease. Based on the morphological and cultural studies, six isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were identified as the causal organism of leaf spot disease of turmeric. The isolates on PDA medium produced white to grey fluffy (raised/ flat) cottony culture with serrated margin. All the isolates produced dark brown acervuli and globular conidia with oil globules inside. Five bacterial endophytes viz., BE 1, BE 222, M1W1, NGB21 and SVC 11 were tested against C. gloeosporioides by using dual culture assay. They were able to inhibit the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides in the range of 35.82-68.11%. The highest percent inhibition in dual culture assay was recorded in the isolate NGB 21 (68.11%) followed by isolate BE1 (59.89%).

How to Cite:

Mahanta, M., Rajesh, T., Dutta, P., 2023. Isolation and characterization of the incitant of leaf spot of turmeric and in-vitro efficacy of native isolate of Endophytic bacteria. Plant Health Archives 1(2), 29-33. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.2.2023/29-33.

Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis spp.): A Pest of Economically Important Fruit and Plantation Crops: Its Status and Management Prospects

Sankarganesh, E. — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 IST

The tea mosquito bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) is the recognized pest of fruits and plantations across the world. In India, three species viz. Helopeltis antonii, H. bradyi and H. theivora are dominant among different species and found attacking a wide range of crops. Several alternate host plants of the tea mosquito bug have been recorded, especially in Africa and Asia. The nymphs and adults of the tea mosquito bug suck the sap from leaves, buds and shoots, which results in heavy crop losses. The pest is posing a serious challenge in domestic and overseas trades. For better management decisions, it is very much important to know about pest status, bionomics, distribution, host range, etc. The focus on the management of tea mosquito bug has to emphasize from chemical to traditional, indigenous technical knowledge and integrated pest management using the accessible resources to reduce the resistance development and limit the residual effects. This review highlights the significant works conducted on tea mosquito bug with detailed management strategies. The information on current status, host preference, incidence and early detection of this pest are discussed.

How to Cite:

Sankarganesh, E., Lavanya Sravani, B., Rajeshwaran, B., Mounika, M.N., 2023. Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis spp.): A pest of economically important fruit and plantation crops: its status and management prospects. Plant Health Archives 1(2), 18-28. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.2.2023/18-28.

Study on Diversity of Fungus Associated with Nephila pilipes

Jalajakshi, S. — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 IST

The fungus has various type of association with spider. They can be pathogenic or symbiotic or commensal in relationship to spiders they live on. In the current study the diversity of fungi in association with Nephila pilipes spider were recorded. The fungi were isolated from its legs and saliva. The microscopic and macroscopic characters were obtained. The measurements of hyphae, conidia and conidiophore were recorded. The fungal growth was more on legs compared to saliva. The legs of the adult spider carried more fungi than saliva as they are associated with soil, carrying microflora on their legs. Further the four different fungus isolated as aspergillus, penicillium, Trichoderma and Cladosporium. The penicillium colony had abundant growth, aspergillus had moderate growth and Cladosporium had less growth compared to Trichoderma.

How to Cite:

Jalajakshi, S., Anagha, J., Buwaneshwari, S., Kalpana, R., Poojitha, P.L., Murthy, S., 2023. Study on Diversity of Fungus Associated with Nephila pilipes. Plant Health Archives 1(2), 14–17. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.2.2023/14-17.

Bacillus thuringiensis in Pest Management

Gothandaraman Rajadurai — Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 IST

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely employed pest management biocontrol agent in the agriculture and forestry ecosystem. In nature, this gram-positive bacterium is found in soil that produces spore-crystal inclusion bodies. This gram-positive bacterium produces a broad spectrum of insecticidal proteins, which are found to be extremely toxic to different groups of insect pests. Bt toxin genes are very selective and specific to pests; they are not toxic to other than the target organisms such as human, animals, and birds, and they are safer for the environment. The Bt toxin is often employed in organic farming as an insecticide spray to manage insect pests. Additionally, it is one of the sources for the insecticidal genes deployed to genetically modify food crops so that they can naturally impart resistance against numerous insect pests.

How to Cite:

Rajadurai, G., Anandakumar, S., Raghu, R., 2023. Bacillus thuringiensis in Pest Management. Plant Health Archives 1(1), 11-13. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.1.2023/11-13.

UAV Technology for Precision Weed Detection and Management

Bobilan Debbarma — Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 IST

In India population increases rapidly day-by-day, therefore food demand also increases. Traditional farming is insufficient to meet these demands. Thus, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) were introduced, enabling Weed Management in less time, efficient use of herbicide and pesticide to bring sustainability to the environment and their resources. One of the most detrimental biotic variables in agriculture, weeds significantly reduces yields across the globe. Weed patches from crop fields can be identified by using drone sensors. Drone camera sensors can optimize weed in relation to leaf density, chlorophyll concentration and other plant canopy characteristics. The article emphasizes weed detection and management by the use of potential sensors of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) technology for better agriculture output.

How to Cite:

Debbarma, B., Saha, A., Teli, S., 2023. UAV Technology for Precision Weed Detection and Management. Plant Health Archives 1(1), 08-10. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.1.2023/08-10.

Biological Control of Plant Parasitic-Nematodes by Plant Growth Promoting-Rhizobacteria

Selvaraj Anandakumar — Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 IST

Plant growth promoting-rhizobacteria (PGPR) contributes a significant part in crop health improvement including pest management. It also protects plants from parasitic nematodes damage by exhibiting biocontrol activity besides improving the growth of plants by supplying nutrients, producing phytohormones and inducing modification of plants metabolisms. PGPR decreases or inhibits the hatching of nematode juveniles and suppresses the nematodes development and reproduction by exhibiting various mechanisms such as hyperparasitism, antibiotic synthesis or antibiosis, substrate competition, synthesis of lytic enzymes and induction of resistance in plants. Hence, PGPR could be an efficient biological protective agent that protects agricultural and horticultural crop plants from the infestation of parasitic nematodes.

How to Cite:

Anandakumar, S., Rajadurai, G., 2023. Biological Control of Plant Parasitic-Nematodes by Plant Growth Promoting-Rhizobacteria. Plant Health Archives 1(1), 05-07. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.1.2023/05-07.

Climate Smart Weed Management Practices

Suhrid Teli — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 IST

Climate changes are rapidly occurring due to anthropogenic activities. Human activities contribute to global warming by increasing greenhouse gases which are the main factors of extreme climate change. This change increases competition between weeds and crops. Most troublesome weeds are responsive to grow with increasing CO₂ gas then crop. Also, high atmospheric temperature helps to reduce uptake of herbicide due to more diffusion and rapidly dry droplets. There is an inevitable need to study how changing climate conditions are affecting crop-weed competition, weed life and herbicide effectiveness in order to create adaptation and mitigation plans for changing climatic scenario. The overall objective of this article is to portray smart weed management approaches under climate change scenario resulting high productivity of crops and more returns for farmers alongwith an effective maintenance of the weeds.

How to Cite:

Teli, S., Saha, A., Debbarma, B., 2023. Climate Smart Weed Management Practices. Plant Health Archives 1(1), 03-04. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.1.2023/03-04.

Roles of Hormone in Crop Production

Joy Kumar Dey — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:00:00 IST

The crop production of our country has increased manifold since the sixties by using improved agricultural technology like seeds, fertilizers, agricultural pesticides. At present, special importance is given to gene-technology, hybrid seeds and tissue culture, etc. for crop production. There is a limit to crop production through the use of agricultural technology. Increasing food production for a changing population is a difficult question for today's world. To cope up with such emerging problems use of hormones in crop production are showing very good results.

How to Cite:

Dey, J.K., Debbarma, A., Sarkar, S., 2023. Roles of Hormone in Crop Production. Plant Health Archives 1(1), 01-02. DOI: 10.54083/PHA/1.1.2023/01-02.