The integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for the control of eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) consists of resistant cultivars, sex pheromone, cultural, mechanical and biological control methods. Eggplant accessions EG058, BL009, ISD006 and a commercial hybrid, Turbo possess appreciable levels of resistance to EFSB. Use of EFSB sex pheromone traps based on (E)-11-hexadecenyl acetate and (E)-11-hexadecen-1-ol to continuously trap the adult males significantly reduced the pest damage on eggplant in South Asia. In addition, prompt destruction of pest damaged eggplant shoots and fruits at regular intervals, and withholding of pesticide use to allow proliferation of local natural enemies especially the parasitoid, Trathala flavo-orbitalis reduced the EFSB population. The IPM strategy was implemented in farmers’ fields via pilot project demonstrations in selected areas of Bangladesh and India and its use was promoted in both countries. The profit margins and production area significantly increased whereas pesticide use and labor requirement decreased for those farmers who adopted this IPM technology. The efforts to expand the EFSB IPM technology to other regions of South and Southeast Asia are underway.

A field experiment was conducted to study the response of cultivars/ hybrids/ germplasm of brinjal to major insect pests and their natural enemies. The study revealed that the hybrid, Sweta was the best in reducing the shoot and fruit damage by Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. recording the mean shoot and fruit damage of 8.0 and 8.7 per cent (number basis) and population of spotted leaf beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab., ash weevil, Myllocerus spp. Guerin, mealybug, Coccidohystrix insolitus Green, aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, leafhopper, Amrasca devastans Ishida and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) recording 8.0, 0.0, 6.5, 6.3, 0.0 and 0.0 nos./ three leaves, respectively. The hybrids, Bejo Sheetal and Pusa hybrid-6 recorded high population of coccinellids, syrphids and spiders. The biochemical characters such as total sugars, total chlorophyll and moisture content were positively correlated with shoot damage while total phenols and ash content have negative correlation.

The cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an export oriented plantation crop. Among the various factors responsible for low yields in cashew, the insect-pests are major one. The cashew stems and root borer (CSRB) Plocaederus ferrugineus L. is one of the serious pests in cashew. The tiny grub of CSRB bores into the fresh tissue and feeds on the phloem and xylem tissues of the trunk and root with making irregular tunnels. Due to extensive tunneling the vascular tissues were damaged and plant sap movements were arrested and ultimately trees died. For management of the CSRB, an experiment was conducted using different bio-control measures including two plant products (neem oil @ 5% and neem cake) and two microbial pesticides such as Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch) Sorkin (Deuteromycotina: Moniliales) and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill in different time intervals and in different combinations. All the treatments were effective and superior over control in minimizing the CSRB infestation. Application of M. anisopliae spawn 250g/tree along with neem cake 500g (T4) was most effective treatment with least infested trees (7.40%) followed by application of B. bassiana spawn 250g/tree along with neem cake 500g (T5) with 11.11% infested trees.

Oxymatrine (1.2 EC @ 0.2 per cent) and spinosad (45 SC @ 225 g a.i. /ha) were found to be effective against brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee.). Oxymatrine was effective at early vegetative stage. Highest per cent reduction of shoot damage was observed in oxymatrine and it is on par with spinosad Spinosad was effective at fruiting stage. Maximum per cent reduction of fruit damage was recorded in spinosad and it was on par with oxymatrine.

Field investigations were made to study the influence of integrated disease management involving plant products and biological control agents of powdery mildew of Bhendi (Erysiphe cichoracearum DC) with ten treatments viz.,Pseudomonas fluorescens I18 (0.2%), P.fluorescens 1(0.2%), Ocimum sanctum 10%, Neem Seed Kernel Extract 5%, K2 HPO4 50 mM, Salicylic acid 1mM, O. sanctum 5% + P. fluorescens I18 (0.2%),Neem Seed Kernel Extract 5 % + P.fluorescens I18 (0.2%), Carbendazim 0.1% and Control. Two sprays were given; first one on 30 days after sowing and the second one on 60 days after sowing. Powdery mildew disease severity was recorded at weekly interval after the second spray on randomly selected plants based on 0-5 grade scale and PDI was calculated. At the end of the season, yield was recorded in each plot. The minimum disease incidence of 8.83% was recorded with Neem Seed Kernel Extract 5%+ Pseudomonas fluorescens I18 0.2% followed by 9.49% with Pseudomonas fluorescens I18 0.2%,10.36% with carbendazim and 11.9% with Pseudomonas fluorescens -1.The yield was also increased to the tune of 43.43% over control in NSKE 5%+Pseudomonas fluorescens I18 followed by 42.44% in Pseudomonas fluorescens I18 ,41.84% with 0.1% carbendazim and 39.73% with Pseudomonas fluorescens -1.

In vitro studies on dosage mortality response of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) to different commercial formulations of HaNPV showed the lowest LC50 value (3.12 X 104 POBs per ml) for BPMS formulation, which indicated its higher virulence compared to other formulations. The HaNPV of PCI, MBP and ZARS-G were on par with each other with 9.5X105, 9.4X105, 15.6X105 POBs per ml and highest LC50 value was recorded with HaNPV formulations of PDBC (11.42X106 POBs/ml).

The efficacies of two native entomopathogenic nematodes viz., Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis indica was evaluated under laboratory and microplot conditions against red hairy caterpillar Amsacta albistriga walk in groundnut.80% and 42% of mortality was observed in filter paper assay within 24 h by H. indica and Steinernema sp. respectively. Steinernema was more virulent against 2nd and 3rd instar larvae, while H. indica showed virulence at all the stages. Microplot application of H. indica at 100000 IJ/ml showed more efficient control than other concentrations. Entomopathogenic nematodes remain viable in soil upto 3 months after treatment. To the best of author’s knowledge this is the first report of using entomopathogenic nematodes against red hairy cateriplllar. 

In pot culture experiment, among the different organic soil amendments tested, FYM @ 12.5 t/ha and neem cake @ 250 kg/ha were found to be effective in reducing the inoculum levels of Macrophomina phaseolina and significantly reduced the incidence of charcoal rot to 13.3 and 15.0 percent respectively from 63.3 % in the control. The rhizosphere population of bacteria and fungi were increased in the amended soils compared to nonamended soils. Soil application of organic amendments also increased the seed germination, seedling growth and seedling vigour index of sunflower.

Screening locally available substrates for mass multiplication of M. anisopliae such as, broken rice grains, broken maize, broken jowar, broken wheat, and broken ragi grains has showed that, broken rice followed by broken jowar served as the most productive media for conidial production of the fungus, with a yield of 3.45x108 and 3.2x108 spores per ml, respectively. The next best was broken maize (2.2x108 spores per ml), broken wheat(1.94x108 spores per ml), and broken ragi (1.8x108 spores per ml). Though the broken rice yielded highest spores, broken jowar recorded lowest production cost (8.6Ps/1x1010spores), which was followed by broken maize (5.6Ps/ 1x1010spores) proving that the broken jowar was the best substrate for mass multiplication of the fungus.

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2002-03 and 2003-04) to study the parasitoids associated with cabbage aphid and diamond back moth and their extent of parsitisation in Marathwada region. The important parasitoids recorded were Aphidius spp. form cabbage aphids with maximum parasitisation of 76.43 and 82.33 per cent in 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively. The parasitoids of P.xylostella include a larval parasite Cotesia plutellae and a larval and pupal parasite Oomyzus sokolowskii. The extent of larval and pupal parasitisation was 10.80 and 26.83 per cent respectively, in 2002-2003 while it was 11.33 and 28.38 per cent in 2003- 04.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to find out the impact of the prey, Clostera fulgurita Walk (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) deprivation period on the feeding behavior and predatory rate of Canthecona furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae). Results revealed that prey consuming time, and predatory rate were gradually increased in accordance with the prey deprivation period and this predator could be used for the biological control agent of C. fulgurita. However more studies are necessary to recommend this predator as a biological control agent.

Use of botanicals is now emerging as one of the important means to be used in protection of crop produce and the environment from pesticidal pollution, which is a global problem. In this chapter, the authors focus on the future of botanical pesticides with special references to agriculture. Two main aspects of botanical pesticides , one search and exploitation of new botanicals as pesticides including isolation, identification and evaluation of the active components and another use of botanicals in agriculture in different forms like direct spray applications of the various plant materials, soil amendments for different plant parts, intercropping of biologically active plants with the main crop, botanical grain protectants, use of botanical based synthetic pesticidal formulations and also use of botanicals as synergists/ binders for synthetic pesticides.

Antifeedant and toxic effects of leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini L., Ocimum basilicum L., Luffa aegyptica Mill., Eichhornia crassipes Mart., Tamarindus indica L., Terminalia catappa L., Limonia acidissima L., Murraya koenigii L., Breynia retusa (Dennst.)., Jatropha curcas L., Tectona grandis L., Momordica charantia L., Mangifera indica L., Ricinus communis L., and the seed extract of Madhuca indica Gmelin., were evaluated in the laboratory and the results were reported. The crude acetone extracts were tested against the third instar larvae of two lepidopteran pests i.e. the tobacco cut worm, Spodoptera litura Fab. and the castor semilooper, Achaea janata L. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Antifeedant activity of the extracts was assessed through leaf disc choice tests. The leaf extracts of M. charantia, T. grandis, M. indica and T. indica exhibited strong antifeedant activity (> 85%) in leaf disc bioassays at a dosage of 100-mg/ 21cm2. Test extracts of T. grandis, M. indica and M. charantia produced higher toxicity (> 80%) to S. litura and A. janata at 20-100 mg/21 cm²/ larva doses were applied, and LD50 values of (47.85- 72.60 mg/21 cm²). The acetone extracts of M. charantia, T. grandis and M. indica were found to exhibit both feeding deterrent and toxic activities. The other plants which were tested had moderate effects towards these pests. Based on their feeding deterrent and toxic properties, some of these plant extracts have potential for use as alternative crop protectants against certain pest species.

Impact of neem (600, 300, 150, 75, 37.5 and 18.7 ppm) on sterilant and oviposition activity was evaluated on the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions using filter paper dip method. Results revealed that neem formulation has a significant effect against eggs of B. zonata at all concentrations used, compared with control. However no effect of neem on the sterilant percent and adults emerged from treated eggs at all concentrations. Moreover, the rate of eggs sterility which produced from treated adults with the previous concentrations was concentration-dependent and significant differences were existed when mated (treated females with normal male and treated female with treated male). While no significant differences observed in treated male mated with normal female. When compared with control (normal male with normal female). The repellency effect of neem on egg deposited in orange fruits after being sprayed with previous concentrations was high and reach to 5.0 % eggs/puncture/fruit, compared with 65.8 % of control. Moreover, the percent of egg hatch decreased to 76.2 % at 600 ppm, compared with 89.0 % of control.

The increasing concern over the level of pesticide residues in food has encouraged researchers to look for alternatives of synthetic pesticides. Their indiscriminate use has led to the development of resistant strains of pests as well as different environmental and human health problems. Recently, in different parts of the world, attention has been paid towards exploitation of higher plant products as novel chemotherapeutants in plant protection. Because of non phytotoxicity, systemicity, easy biodegradability and stimulatory nature of host metabolism, plant products possess the potential in pest management. Used widely until the 1940’s, these natural pesticides were displaced by modern synthetic pesticides that at the time seemed cheaper, easier and long lasting. The popularity of botanical pesticides is once again increasing and some plant products are being used globally as green pesticides. The body of scientific literature documenting bioactivity of plant derivatives to different pests continues to expand, yet only a handful of botanicals are currently used in agriculture. Pyrethroids and neem products are well established commercially as botanical pesticides and recently some essential oils of higher plants have also been used as antimicrobials against storage pests because of their relatively safe status and wide acceptance by the consumers. Some of the volatile oils, which often contain the principal aromatic and flavouring components of herbs and spices, have been recommended as plant based antimicrobials to retard microbial contamination and reduction in spoilage of food commodities. Furthermore, some of the antimicrobial plant products also possess strong antioxidant activities which are favourable properties to combat free radical mediated organoleptic deterioration of plant commodities and enhancing their shelf life. In the context of agricultural pest management, botanical pesticides are best suited for use in organic food production in industrialized countries but can play a much greater role in the production and post harvest protection of food products in developing countries.

Toxicity and morphogenetic effects of various botanicals was evaluated against third instar nymphs of Dysdercus koenigii by two bioessay techniques viz., dry film and seed dip methods. Anonin was found to be most toxic and econeem least toxic to the nymphs of D.koenigii. The descending order of toxicity of different botanicals for dry film method was anonin > imidacloprid > karanjin > achook > ecomeem, whereas by seed dip method the order was anonin > imidacloprid > achook > karanjin > econeem. All the botanical insecticides initiated dose dependent changes, resulting in delayed metamorphosis with abnormal wing development, no moulting and finally death within 24 - 48 h after treatements. Thus, the toxicity levels of various botanicals would serve as ready reckoner for the selection of various plant - based products for the management of red cotton bugs on okra and other crops in the NEH region.

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of different extracts (agueous suspension, ether and water) of various parts of Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) against Callosobruchus chinensis L. A maximum of 63.33% adult mortality was observed in C.chinensis treated with 10% ether extracts of W. somnifera root.

 Neem, Azadirachta indica A Juss. (Meliaceae) products viz., neem seed kernel exract (NSKE) (5%) , neem oil (3%) , neem leaf extract (3%) along with notchi Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) leaf extract (3%) , periwinckle leaf extract (Catharanthus roseus Linn.) (Apocynaceae) (3%), palmarosa oil (Cymbopogaon maurtini Roxb.) (0.05%), jatropha oil (Jatropha carcus L. ) (1%) were evaluated against White Backed planthopper (WBPH) with different methods of application viz., seed treatment , seedling root dip and foliar spray. Percent survival was minimum in NSKE .Mean size, weight and growth index were also minimum in neem products. Insects made more probes in neem products. Honeydew excreted in NSKE treatment was also reduced.

An attempt was made to assess the antimycotic activity of Acacia catechu Willd. extracts using three different solvents such as ethanol, acetone and hexane. Agar well diffusion technique was followed for screening against chosen fungi like Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Rhizopus stolonifer and Macrophoma phaseolina. The maximum inhibition was recorded in ethanol, acetone and hexane roots extracts. A. niger growth was controlled by acetone extract of bark, where as F. oxysporum, A. alternata, R. stolonifer and M. phaseolina by acetone extracts of A. catechu extract. These extracts can be utilized for the management of this plant. It is recommended to isolate, identify and integrate the bioactive principle in these pathogens management.

RH-2485 is a molt accelerating compound and provides effective control of a wide range of key lepidopteran pests. It acts as an ecdysone agonist. The chemical upon absorption into the haemolymph of the insect, binds to the ecdysone receptor which initiates the moulting process. As the normal process disrupted the insects are prevented from shedding its old cuticle. The larvae die of dehydration and starvation within 2-5 days. Hence the toxicity tests were conducted for Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) to fix the LD50.The LD50 of molt accelerating hormone RH-2485 was estimated by Bouquet method. It was found that the LD50 was 7.68, 15.95, 92.93 and 142.16 ppm for I, II, III and IV instar larvae of H. armigera respectively. It was concluded that the earlier instar was found to be more susceptible with lesser LD50 values and as the instars advances the values of LD50 was found to be increasing. Hence this formulation was found to be more toxic for the different instars of H. armigera and can be included in the Integrated Pest Management systems.

In the present study the fern Chrystella parasitica (L.) Khun (Deunstaedtiaceae : Pteridophyceae) endemic to Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu was screened for its phytochemical constituents and evaluated its pesticidal properties against two lepidopteran pests viz., Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.). The phytochemical constituents were extracted with two organic solvents such as chloroform and ethanol, then used for the isolation of phytoecdysteroids following the method of CSIRO, Australia. The extracts/fractions those recorded phytoecdysteroids were used for bioefficacy studies. The results of the preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that all the fractions except AF contains steroids. Among the other groups of phytochemicals, saponins and santhoprotiens were recorded in CE, EE and AF fractions and tannins and flavonoids in EE and AF. HPLC results of the phytoecdysone characterization revealed that C. parasitica contains two major phytoecdysteroids α and β–ecdysteroids. It shows α-ecdysone in CE and -ecdysone in EE and CEF fractions. Among the three extracts/ fractions screened for their pesticidal properties, EE recorded highest toxicity against the experimental insects followed by CEF and CE. Comparative studies between the two lepidopterans, H. armigera proved to be more susceptible than S. litura. The different extracts/fractions exerted different levels of impact on these experimental insects, as evident from the percent mortality, larval, pupal and adult developmental period, percent adult emergence, and developmental abonormalities. The deformities include larval-pupal intermediates, short and stumpy wings, retention of larval/pupal exuvia, head capsule etc.

The schiff - base transition metal complexes are an important field in the coordination chemistry and find extensive application in different fields. The understanding of relationship between metals and various biological systems is a subject of great interest for researchers. Since nobody has utilized these compounds in agriculture sector particularly for insect pest management so far,this investigation deals with the impact of schiff-base derived from anthranilic acid and acetoacetanilide and its copper complex on fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) by leaf dip method. Results reveal that schiff-base has more impact (LD50 – 0.01293%) than its copper complex (LD50 – 0.03243%) at 96 h. In addition to insecticidal activity, these compounds also interfere with the physiology of S. litura. We concluded from these studies that both schiff - base and copper complex could be incorporated in the integrated management of S. litura.

Certain strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have shown to produce secretary proteins during their vegetative growth phase. In recent years, these proteins have shown remarkable insecticidal properties against several lepidopteran and coleopteran pests, and were named as vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIPs). Wide spread use of transgenic Bt crops which produces the well known insecticidal crystal protein (ICP) of Bt has increased the chances of resistance among pests. In this situation, the advent of the VIP is considered as a possible way to overcome the limitations of the first generation Bt toxins. The current study is aimed to search for novel VIPs or VIP-like proteins with effect towards several economically important pests that could not be controlled by the ICPs. A fairly large number of Bt isolates were screened in order to find a suitable VIP-like protein that might offer novelty in their insect mortality potential and newer sensitivity range amongst the target insects to be used in future transgenic approach. The toxic protein from the different strains were isolated and partially purified, and the susceptible insects from the lepidopteran and homopteran group were confirmed through bioassay. We were able to identify two VIP toxins; one was found to be effective against lepidopteran pests and the other to be effective against homopteran insect pests. This is the first study demonstrating activity of a Vip toxin against homopteran pests.

Studies were taken up to monitor the population of sucking pests as well as boll damage in commercially released Bt cotton entries. In the present study it was found that the jassid population was almost negligible (< one per three leaves) both in Bt as well as non Bt cotton hybrids. In five Bt cotton hybrids (JKCH 1947, RCH 317, NCEH 6, Ankur 2534 and MRC 6301) it was less than that of non Bt cotton hybrid. However, whitefly incidence was more in all Bt cotton hybrids than that of the non Bt cotton hybrid, which may be due to reduction in the spray of chemical insecticides or the negligible infestation of bollworms. The bollworm damage in the current experiments revealed almost nil damage to the bolls in Bt cotton compared to non Bt cotton hybrid. The seed cotton yield in 12 out of 13 Bt cotton hybrids were more than that of non Bt cotton hybrid. This reveals the superiority of Bt cotton hybrids in terms of yield.

MR2 variety mulberry leaves were sterilized with UV light for 5, 10 and 15 minutes. These leaves were fed to PM x NB4 D2 hybrid silkworm Bombyx mori Linn. life stages and recorded the macromolecular contents (total protein, reducing sugar and glycogen) and digestive enzymes (amylase, invertase and protease) activities. Results revealed feeding of silkworm B. mori with UV treated mulberry leaves discloses the enhancement of nutritive value of the host plant thereby increasing the macromolecular contents and digestive enzymes activities.