ONGOING PROJECTS

PLANT BIOSECURITY DIVISION

1. Commercial scaling up of irradiation protocol as phytosanitary measure for major cut flowers (funded by BARC-Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), GOI)

Phytosanitary treatment is a requisite for fresh flowers intended for export/import to minimize the risk of quarantine pest. Irradiation is recognized as a versatile phytosanitary treatment against insect and mites associated with agricultural/horticultural commodities. Cut flowers are an important export and import commodity in International agricultural trade. Under this project, the tolerance of cut-flowers such as Rose and Carnation to different radiation doses and the efficacy of radiation against the major insect pests will be studied.

2. Survey and field evaluation of sterile insect technique for the management of Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera:Tephritidae) infesting economically important fruit crops(funded by BARC-Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), GOI)

The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis is native to Asia and found in about 65 countries. In India, it is known to damage several economically important fruits and causes 31-96% damage. Currently, the management of B. dorsalis relying on cultural practices and insecticides applications. Sterile Imnsect Technique (SIT) is a promising environment-friendly method and has been implemented for control or eradication of fruit fly. The objectives of the project are to survey on fruit flies species distribution in mango orchards in Telangana State and improvement of mass rearing protocols. By using gamma radiation (Irradiation facility at PJTSAU), optimization of sterility dose and reproductive parameters is being studied. The performance of sterile males will be tested in field cage experiment (pilot scale). The outcome of this study will be helpful in exploitation of SIT for management fruit fly in fruit growing areas of India.

3. Development of eco-friendly and integrated stored grain pest management techniques for food grain storage in FCI godowns (multi-locations)- Funded by FCI

In storage, the food grains are damaged due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Among different factors, stored grain pests can cause both qualitative and quantitative loss in food grains including natural losses and at times may render the grains unfit for further storage and human consumption. In order to manage these stored grain pests application of insecticides is one of the preventive measures to reduce losses during storage. In view of the above, the project is aimed to find the alternative insecticides and also to implement eco-friendly pest management practices for bulk food grain storage in food storage depots to avoid development of resistance in insects and also pesticide residues in food grains.

4. Multimodal data analysis for monitoring invasive aquatic weeds in India-Funded by Royal Academy of Engineering, UK in collaboration with University of Stirling, UK

The aim of this project is to develop effective methods that combine the use of multiple data sources (satellite and drone observations and ground-based sensors) to monitor the spread of invasive aquatic weeds in neglected and inaccessible water bodies in India. The project focuses on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Kuttanad region of Kerala.

Invasive aquatic weeds are a serious problem affecting many parts of Asia and Africa. They cause severe degradation of the aquatic environment, with damaging impacts on fisheries, drinking water sources, agricultural irrigation, rice cultivation, navigation and recreational use of water bodies. Lakes become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, carrying diseases such as Chikungunya that endanger human health. The effects are felt severely in the Kuttanad basin in central Kerala, where agriculture and the tourism industry depend heavily on the local lakes and rivers, almost all of which are heavily infested with water hyacinth (WH).

Attempts to control the weed usually involve manual or mechanical removal. However, it is impossible to remove all traces of the weed completely, and it regenerates from left-behind seeds and fragments. Regrowth in small, neglected and inaccessible side streams and pools remains undetected until the spread is extensive and has reached economically important water bodies which become re-infected and damaged. Early detection of regrowth has the potential to cut the cost of control by allowing the weed to be removed before it has reached a damaging level. The team investigate technological methods for early detection of water hyacinth regrowth, combining data from satellite, drone, and ground-level sensors. Multi-modal data has the benefit of providing both extensive area coverage and sufficient resolution to survey small water bodies. We will devise algorithms for combining multi-modal data for effective detection, carry out pilot trials of our methods, and ensure sustainability of results through training and dissemination activities.

5. Hot Water Immersion Treatment (HWIT) of Chillies

A Memorandum of Understanding is executed between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad for project on “Hot Water immersion Treatment (HWIT) of Chillies”.

This project will be confined to select the best suitable temperature and time combination for killing the sucking pests and bores in Chillies. The project is to ascertain the preliminary work (in house study) done at NIPHM on HWIT on commercial scale. Further, evaluation of the shelf life will be carried out post treatment to set a protocol of HWIT to be used for export of green chillies. The project is under progress.

6. Evaluation of Repellent effect of Animal Out against Wild Boar, Sus scrofa in maize crop – Industry Project - Pestomatic Controls, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Wild boars are one of the serious vertebrate that can cause damage to various agriculture crops. Apart from that they have been known to damage fences when going into field areas, gardens, crops and livestock. Due to strict regulation in Indian wild Life Act 1972 wild boar cannot be caught or killed. Therefore, an attempt is made to test an animal repellent against wild boar in maize crop.

7. Evaluation of Repellent effect of Animal Out against Lesser bandicoot, Bandicota bengalensis in rice or veg crop-Industry Project- Pestomatic Controls, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Among various pests that affect the agriculture production, rodents are major vertebrate pests due to their endemic damage propensity in major crops at farm level as well as in storage situations.