PLANT HEALTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION - ONGOING PROJECTS

1.Deciphering The Mechanism of Resistance to Root Lesion Nematode in Chickpea by Using Genetic and Genomic Approaches

Soil samples were analysed received from the farmer’s field to get Root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thorni) for the chickpea germplasm screening. We could not get the required species of nematodes for the experiments same is discussed with other collaborators from JNKVV Jabalpur MP/ TNAU Coimbatore and planned to send the Technical assistant (Nematology) after appointing to collect the soil samples infested with root lesion nematode in chickpea crops with office permission.

2.AICRP on Biological Control of Crop Pests (ICAR-AICRP-BC)-NIPHM, Hyderabad (Volunteer Centre)

i.Evaluation of NIPHM white media for production of Nomuraearileyi (Metarhiziumrileyi) NIPHM MRF-1 strain for management of Maize Fall Army worm (Spodopterafrugiperda)
This project aimed for the production of Metarhizium rileyi two media viz. NIPHM White media and broken rice were used. To standardize the production technology, the media under test were made into six treatments (Broken rice (without yeast extract), Broken rice (with yeast extract), 1% NIPHM white media, 2% NIPHM white media, 3% NIPHM white media, 4% NIPHM white media)and for each treatment two replications were maintained.

ii.Biodiversity of natural enemies of maize ecosystem
A total of eighteen natural enemies were recorded from maize ecosystem during Kharif, 2020. Recorded the predators viz., Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinellids (Cheilomenes sexmaculataFabricius., Coccinella transversalis Fab.,Coccinella septempuctata Linnaeus), Big eyed bug (Geocoris sp.), Preying mantis, Dragon fly, Damselfly, Pentotomid bug (Eocanthecona furcellata), Reduviid bug (Rhynocoris fuscipes), Robber fly, Long legged fly, Carabid beetle, Ear wig, Hover fly, Rove beetle, Long horned grasshopper, Spiders, Wasp. The parasitoids reported are Cotesia sp., Bracon spp and Trichogramma spp.

3.IPM model villages under Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Programme (TN-IAMP)

NIPHM and Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu has entered into a MoU for take up project on ‘Model IPM village’ under the scheme of TNIAMP on 17th March, 2020 with objectives like to provide technical assistance to all beneficiary farmers in 20 IPM villages under the Lower Palar Sub basin for establishment of cost effective sustainable Bio-control Agents’ production units in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, to train the farmers in understanding of Good Practices in production and quality maintenance, to provide the mother culture and media initially based on the existing norms of the institution, to prepare the Standard Production Protocol Manual in Tamil on ‘On-Farm Production of Bio-control agents’.

An online training programme on ‘Role of Bio-inputs in Sustainable Agriculture’ Under TN-IAM project officers (200 officers) of Tamil Nadu from 10th to 12th November, 2020 was conducted. Training cum demonstration on the ‘Role and Use of Bio input in sustainable agriculture’ for beneficiary farmers in 20 IPM villageshas been conducted between 11th and 12th February, 2021. The bio inputs thus prepared, after application to the field is being inspected and farmers are then and there sensitized on the use of the bio inputs based on the results that they obtain in their respective fields. Thus the field trials have been conducted in 4 block clusters of 20 IPM Villages.