Eco-friendly Pest Management Research Articles

Relative safety of Beauveria bassiana (Bb 112) oil formulation to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant

Biopesticides are promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, and they have opened up new panorama in insect pest management to aid in the promotion of safe, eco-friendly pest management. They are relatively host specific and do not interfere with other biotic systems. Research concerning the development of biopesticides has focused mainly on identification of virulent isolates of bioagents for effective management of the target pests. However, information pertaining to their effects on natural enemies, non-target pests, and environment is scanty. In the present study, oil formulation of fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Bb 112) was tested against adults of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae), under laboratory condition. Oil formulation of B. bassiana (Bb 112) has been found to be safer to C. montrouzieri adults with maximum adult survival of 92.62 per cent at the highest dose (10 8 spores ml -1 ) and 100 per cent survival at lower dose tested (10 4 spores ml -1 ) respectively.

Response of Soil Nematodes Under Different Pest Management Practices: A Field Experimental Approach in Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum L.) Growing Agro-Ecosystem

The need of eco-friendly pest management practice is important to maintain soil biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Therefore rigorous investigation is needed for the environmentally friendly pest management techniques worldwide including Nepalese Tomato growing farms. We conducted field experiment to monitor the diversity and community structure of soil nematodes under different pest management practices in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) growing farm. The study was conducted during summer and winter season in 2015 in Tokha area of Northern part of Kathmandu valley. The field was designed as Urine mixture plot (MP), Pesticides plot (PP), Botanicals plots (BP) and Control plot (CP). Our result indicated the variation of abundance and diversity of nemato-fauna with treatment plots and seasons. The generic diversity and community composition of nematodes in Urine mixture treating plots (MP) was increased significantly whereas decreased in pesticide applying plot (PP). The F/B ratio was significantly affected with treatment system rather than seasonality and found to be increased in pesticides applying plots. The abundance samples of nematodes genera were well separated in our discriminate ordination. We highlight the need of further exploration on the diversity and community dynamics of soil nematodes under different pest management practices in Tomato growing Nepalese agro-farms for sustainable soil ecosystem service. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology Volume 22, Issue 2, January 2018, Page: 45-55

Systemically released volatiles from Solena amplexicaulis plant leaves with color cues influencing attraction of a generalist insect herbivore

ABSTRACTSolena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (Cucurbitaceae) is a promising vegetable in Southeast Asia. Infestation of Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults on leaves of the crop plant causes death of the plant and reduces crop production. Currently, growers are applying insecticides to control this pest, which are harmful to health and environment. Hence, an attempt has been made to find out allelochemicals from leaves attracting the insect, which might be used for ecofriendly pest management program. The emission of volatiles was detected from undamaged leaves of herbivore-induced plants after 24 h and 120 h of continuous females feeding on lower leaves of the same plants by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. The insect showed attraction to systemically released volatiles from herbivore-induced plants against unharmed plants in Y-shaped glass tube olfactometer bioassays. The insect was attracted to a synthetic blend of 1.2 µg linalool oxide + 3.2 µg nonanal + 1.5 µg trans-2-nonenal dissolved in 20 µL CH2Cl2 in olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassays, and hence, this blend could be used in development of baited traps in pest management strategies.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Assisted Controlled Release of Synthetic Insect Attractant for Effective and Sustainable Trapping of Fruit Flies

The use of attractants in mass insect pest trapping is the emerging approach in eco-friendly pest management. The rate of release and stability of attractants are important factors in determining the cost of the trap dispenser system. Nano-materials are widely used for sustained release of bioactive compounds in bio-medical sciences. In the present study, it was explored the scope of using metal oxide nanoparticles (SiO2, TiO2, and ZnO NPs) to regulate discharge of methyl eugenol (ME) from lure dispensers. The discharge of ME with various concentrations of nanomaterials was investigated at different temperatures. Among these, maximum controlled release of ME was found at 10−5 dilution at temperature between 30 and 35 °C. The interaction between metal oxides NPs and ME was investigated through FT-IR and DLS analyses. The results revealed a weak interaction apparently due to the presence of van der Waals forces. The metal oxide NPs assisted controlled release of ME was investigated in the mango orchards. Among the samples, ME with TiO2 NPs (dilution: 10−5) showed a higher number of fruit fly catches than the others for up to 12 weeks. These findings provide an evidence for the hypothesis of controlled release or discharge of the insect attractant for trapping of fruit flies achieved using metal oxide nanoparticles.

Documentation of pest management practices among banana growers in major banana growing districts of Tamil Nadu

A survey was conducted during the year 2014-2015 in major banana growing district of Tamil Nadu to study the pest management practices against major pests of banana. The studies revealed low responses on knowledge about eco-friendly pest management practices except following the clean cultivation practices (61.25 %) and use of plant products (54.17 %). Awareness about the recommended pesticides for banana was low (17.50 % respondents) and many of the banana growers (42.5 %) use monocrotophos against banana pests. Around 46.25 per cent of farmers get their plant protection advice from pesticide dealers. Interventions for eco-friendly pest management with the rational and sustainable use of pesticides in banana is necessary among the banana growers.

Development of suitable integrated pest management module for major lepidopteran insect pests of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Investigation on development of suitable integrated pest management module for major insect pest of cabbage ( Brassicae oleracea var. capitata ) was carried out in experimental field of Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. In case of larval population of C. binotalis , S. litura , P. xylostella and H. armigera was found in sole synthetic insecticide module M 3 (0.23, 0.35, 1.61 and 1.78/plants, respectively) followed by eco-friendly pest management module M 1 (0.23, 0.98, 1.50 and 1.51/ plants, respectively) and botanicals bio-pesticides module M 2 (0.30, 0.99, 1.62 and 1.65/ plants, respectively). As far as yield and economics is concerned, module M 3 recorded highest yield of cabbage heads (28322.0 kg/ha) and consequently higher net gain over control (122050 Rs./ha) and higher net BCR (1:41.01). However, its effect in destructing natural fauna, polluting environment and causing residual problem should not be overlooked. Eco-friendly pest management module and botanicals and bio-pesticides module was next effective module in recording yield and net profit besides any adverse effect on natural fauna and did not leave any toxic residue.

Can Production of Biocontrol Agent from Waste Biomass Maximize Waste Utilization?

In the recent times, eco-friendly pest management for sustainable crop production has gained tremendous importance as a potential alternative to agrochemicals for controlling plant pathogens. This has eliminated the hazards of conventional chemical pesticides on the environment and non-target organisms and also slashed the production cost. This approach is being adapted world over and found to be highly compatible with sustainable agriculture and effective against array of soil borne plant pathogens. Biocontrol agents (BCAs), such as Trichoderma sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and others play a major role in achieving the targets of Integrated Pest Management Programme (IPMP). However, for large scale production of BCAs, cost effective formulations is the major goal of IPMP. The issue has been well addressed by the use of different wastes (e.g. household waste, vegetable waste, sugarcane baggase, fruit juice wastes, winery wastes and waste from wastewater treatment plants) as substrates for the mass production of the BCAs. These wastes are otherwise a major concern of pollution and disposal as well.

Synergistic and antagonistic interactions of terpenes against Meloidogyne incognita and the nematicidal activity of essential oils from seven plants indigenous to Greece

Biorational means for phytonematode control were studied within the context of an increasingly ecofriendly pest management global approach. The nematicidal activity and the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) isolated from seven plants grown in Greece and ten selected compounds extracted from them against second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita (Kof. & White) Chitwood were evaluated using juvenile paralysis experiments. Additionally, synergistic and antagonistic interactions between nematicidal terpenes were studied using an effect addition model, with the comparison made at one concentration level. The 96 h EC(50) values of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Pimpinella anisum L., Eucalyptus meliodora A Cunn ex Schauer and Pistacia terebinthus L. were 231, 269, 807 and 1116 µg mL(-1) , respectively, in an immersion bioassay. Benzaldehyde (9 µg mL(-1) ) was the most toxic compound, followed by γ-eudesmol (50 µg mL(-1) ) and estragole (180 µg mL(-1) ), based on 96 h EC(50) values. The most potent terpene pairs between which synergistic actions were found, in decreasing order, were: trans-anethole/geraniol, trans-anethole/eugenol, carvacrol/eugenol and geraniol/carvacrol. This is the first report on the activity of F. vulgare, P. anisum, E. meliodora and P. terebinthus, and additionally on synergistic/antagonistic nematicidal terpene interactions, against M. incognita, providing alternative methods for nematode control.

Evaluation of some medicinal plants and their mixtures for their bio-efficacy against crop and stored product pests

Plant based insecticides are gaining importance for their environmental safety. But their efficacy is greatly reduced in the field due to several factors. This study was undertaken to assess the insecticidal properties of medicinal plants viz., Cassia tora, Clerodendron enermi, Calotropis gigantea, Aloe vera, Vitex negundo and Andrographis paniculata, commonly found on farmlands and their mixtures. The extracts and mixtures were bio-assayed against a lepidopteran larva (Heliothis armigera) by modified leaf dip bioassay, and its effect on larval growth, development and survival; the oviposition deterrent effect against moths of H. armigera, and efficacy against the sucking pest Aphis gossypii and a stored product pest Callosobruchus chinensis were studied. The insecticidal activity in descending order was as follows: NSKE 10% > NSKE 5%, Botanical mixture II > A. paniculata > V. negundo > Botanical mixture I > C. gigantea > C. tora > C. enermi > A. vera. All botanicals showed greater ovipositional deterrence than insecticidal activity exhibiting 40–100% inhibition compared to untreated control. A. paniculata showed the highest activity against the store product pest C. chinensis. The complex of compounds in botanical mixtures could be synergistically used in eco-friendly pest management and botanical mixtures with neem as one of the ingredients, which could have a potential role as insect growth regulator.

Linalool – a Review of a Biologically Active Compound of Commercial Importance

Since the earliest times fragrant materials have been used in rituals. Today, a lucrative industry has developed to produce and deliver fragrances and aromatic chemicals with various applications in modern society. Linalool, a much sought after compound in the flavor and fragrance industry is a monoterpene alcohol which occurs naturally in many aromatic plants. Linalool and linalool-rich essential oils are known to exhibit various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-oxidant properties and several in vivo studies have confirmed various effects of linalool on the central nervous system. The applications of linalool are not confined to simply adding or enhancing a specific scent to domestic products such as soaps, detergents and shampoos. Linalool also plays an import role in nature as a key compound in the complex pollination biology of various plant species to ensure reproduction and survival. Linalool is also a key compound for the industrial production of a variety of fragrance chemicals such as geraniol, nerol, citral and its derivatives, as well as a lead compound in the synthesis of vitamins A and E. The repellent properties of linalool on various crop-destroying insects has been well documented accentuating the application of this molecule in eco-friendly pest management. This review aims to highlight the various biological properties of linalool and to emphasize the value of linalool and linalool-rich essential oils in phytotherapy.

The biopesticide market for global agricultural use

The biopesticide market for global agricultural use

Bionomics and Management of Major Thrips Species on Agricultural Crops in Africa

Several thrips species are known to cause serious damage to agricultural crops in Africa. However, only five species of the family Thripidae are considered as economic pests, namely, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom), Scirtothrips aurantii Faure, Sericothrips adolfifriderici Karny and Thrips tabaci (Lindeman). Nymphs and adult thrips suck the sap from leaf buds, leaves, flower buds, flowers and fruits, which become deformed or remain underdeveloped, often showing scars. Some species act as major vectors of viral plant diseases. Current pest-control practices include using resistant plant varieties, biological agents, cultural operations and chemical pesticides. However, more information is needed to formulate an effective, low-cost and eco-friendly pest-management strategy that can be adopted sustainably in the existing agricultural framework.

Allelopathic Interactions in Agroforestry Systems

Agroforestry is a modern tool to develop sustainable land use and to increase food production by growing woody species (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) with agricultural crops and/or animals in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Because these species co-exist with the agricultural crops, their allelopathic compatibility may be crucial to determine the success of an agroforestry system. A survey of the available information reveals that most of the agroforestry species (AF species) have negative allelopathic effects on food and fodder crops. Therefore, it is desirable to do further research in this direction so that AF species with no or positive allelopathic effects on the companion crops may be promoted for agroforestry programs. As AF species remain a part of the agroecosystem for a longer period, and most of them produce a large amount of leaves and litter, their allelochemicals may play an important role in developing an eco-friendly pest management strategy. Besides these generally studied aspects of allelopathy, some comparatively newer aspects of research have been identified, such as evaluation of qualitative yield of agroforestry systems, selective behavior of the allelochemicals, effect on soil quality, and the role of tree allelochemicals in animal and human nutrition. If given due consideration, allelopathy could play a pivotal role in conservation of the highly threatened environment, biodiversity, natural resource base, and making agriculture more sustainable through broadening the scope of agroforestry.