The Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI) publishes the Indian Journal of Plant Protection (IJPP). Four issues of the journal are published every year in March, June, September and December. The journal indexed / abstracted in Indian Citation Index, Bioscience, Chemical abstracts, Review of Applied Entomology, Review of Plant Pathology and other CAB abstracts and Agrindex of FAO.
Manuscript will be accepted on the understanding that their content is original and that permission has been received in writing wherever necessary to produce previously published material (including quotations, data and illustrations) and that the manuscript has not been submitted/ accepted for publication elsewhere. Copyright resides with the Plant Protection Association of India.
Enhancing Agricultural Contribution and GDP Growth-A Comprehensive Policy, Regulatory and Technological Roadmap for India
A structured short-, medium-, and long-term execution roadmap (0-20 years) was established to transition India from subsistence farming to innovation-driven, globally competitive, and sustainable agriculture. The institutional blueprints generated from these proceedings serve as an actionable guide for government bodies and industry stakeholders to protect farmer incomes, assure input quality, and bolster agricultural contributions to the national economic growth.
Plant Protection, Agricultural GDP, Policy Reform, Micro-Irrigation, Spurious Inputs, Pharma-Grade Auditing, Crop Diversification, Viksit Bharat @2047.
Copyright (c) 2026 Plant Protection Association of India
Morphological and bio-chemical properties of cotton varieties imparting resistance to leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida)
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity is severely constrained by sap-sucking pests, particularly leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula). Enhancing varietal resistance through key morphological and biochemical traits offers a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for effective pest management. This study evaluated the resistance of eight cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linn.) varieties (CB12, CB14, CB15, CB19, CB20, CDB Tula M1, BC111, and BC113) against leafhopper infestation under field conditions in Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Significant variation (p ≤ 0.05) was observed among varieties in terms of infestation levels, morphological traits, biochemical composition, and yield performance. Higher infestation was recorded in CB12 and CB19, whereas BC111 and CB14 exhibited comparatively lower susceptibility. Leafhopper attack significantly reduced starch and protein contents, indicating adverse effects on plant metabolism. Varieties with higher trichome density and SPAD values showed reduced infestation and better growth performance. Correlation analysis revealed strong negative relationships between leafhopper infestation and plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and yield traits, while trichome density was negatively correlated with pest population and positively associated with yield components. Among the tested varieties, BC113, CB14, and BC111 demonstrated superior yield and fiber quality under infestation conditions. The results highlight the importance of integrating morphological and biochemical traits in screening cotton varieties for leafhopper resistance, supporting sustainable pest management strategies.
Leafhopper infestation, cotton varieties, trichome density, biochemical traits, host plant resistance.
Advances and challenges in botanical insecticides for sustainable pest management: An Overview
Botanical insecticides are increasingly recognized as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides in response to growing concerns about environmental contamination, pesticide resistance, and adverse effects on non-target organisms. Among these, neem- and pyrethrum-derived products are widely used due to their effectiveness, biodegradability, and relatively low toxicity to beneficial organisms. Recent advances in formulation technologies, including nano-encapsulation, polymer-based carriers, and lipid-based delivery systems, have significantly improved their stability and field performance. However, limitations such as rapid degradation, high production costs, and regulatory constraints continue to hinder their large-scale adoption. This review highlights the types, key examples, recent advancements, and future prospects of botanical insecticides, emphasizing their potential role in sustainable pest management in the twenty-first century.
Botanical insecticides, Neem, Pyrethrum, Sustainable pest management, Nano-encapsulation
Molecular profiling of native Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas fluorescens from tomato rhizosphere in Arunachal Pradesh
The present study aimed to identify and characterize potent native bioagents from the tomato rhizosphere with strong antagonistic potential against Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight in tomato. In vitro screening revealed the highest growth inhibition by Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates Pf-2 (81.33%) and Pf-3 (73.33%), followed by Trichoderma asperellum isolates T-11 (73.73%) and T-14 (66.67%). Molecular characterization of fungal isolates (T-11 and T-14) using the ITS region of the 18S rRNA confirmed 100% similarity with T. asperellum (GenBank: MK928414, MK928417), clustering them phylogenetically with T. asperellum. Similarly, rhizospheric bacterial isolates (Pf-2 and Pf-3) were characterized using 16S-23S rRNA ITS1 and ITS2 primers, amplifying a 560 bp fragment. Phenotypic characterization further identified them as P. fluorescens. These findings emphasize the importance of precise taxonomic identification to ensure microbial safety in the rhizosphere. The identified T. asperellum and P. fluorescens isolates exhibit promising biocontrol potential and warrant further exploration for sustainable tomato disease management.
Tomato, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, ITS region, phylogenetic analysis
Species, substrate optimization and development of a bamboo based plastic-free cultivation system for white oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida (Mont.) Singer
Oyster mushroom cultivation relies heavily on single use polypropylene bags, generating persistent plastic waste and raising serious environmental concerns, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. The present investigation aimed to develop a productive, plasticfree and reusable cultivation system for oyster mushroom through integrated species selection, agrowaste substrate optimization and container innovation using bamboo baskets. Five oyster mushroom species were initially evaluated on paddy straw, among which Pleurotus florida (DMRP136) recorded the highest biological efficiency (98.29%) and superior fruiting body weight and was selected for further experimentation. Eight locally available agrowaste substrates were subsequently evaluated using P. florida, wherein paddy straw produced the highest biological efficiency (98.33%), followed by sugarcane trash and maize stover. Based on these results, a bamboo basket–based cultivation system was developed and statistically compared with the conventional polypropylene bag method. The bamboo system significantly shortened spawn run, advanced pinhead initiation and first harvest, and enhanced biological efficiency to 120%. Fruiting body quality parameters such as pileus diameter, stipe length, average fruit body weight, colour and overall marketable appearance were comparable or superior under the bamboo basket system. Economic analysis revealed higher net returns (₹495.70 per unit) and a superior cost–benefit ratio (1:12.19), supported by reusability of bamboo baskets for up to ten cropping cycles. The study demonstrates that bamboobased cultivation, combined with appropriate strain and substrate selection, offers an environmentally sustainable, economically viable and scientifically robust alternative to plasticbased oyster mushroom production.
Pleurotus species; Species evaluation; Agro-waste recycling; Bamboo basket cultivation; Plastic-free mushroom production
Nematode diversity in vegetable ecosystems of Northern region of Kerala
A survey was undertaken to assess the population dynamics and distribution of predatory as well as other free-living nematodes associated with vegetable crops cultivated in different Agro-Ecological Units (AEUs) of Kerala. Among the predators, Mylonchulus minor from Kozhikode district, Mylonchulus minor, and Iotonchus indicus from Wayanad district. Mylonchulus minor and Iotonchus indicus from Kannur district; Mylonchulus minor and Iotonchus indicus, Neoactinolaimus sp., Proleptonchus sp. from Kasaragod district. Among plant parasitic nematodes the following nematodes were recorded from different vegetable crop rhizosphere and different locations viz., Rotylenchulus reniformis (chilli from Mattanur, Kannur district), snake gourd from Poinachi, Kasaragod district), Pratylenchus sp. (chilli from Mogral, Kasaragod district), Hoplolaimus sp. (amaranthus from Muttathody, Kasaragod district), Hirschmaniella sp. (amaranthus from Muttathody, Kasaragod district), Criconema sp. (amaranthus from Badriya Nagar, Kasaragod district), Hemicriconemoides sp. (vegetable crops from Kaynoth, Kasaragod district), Tylenchorhynchus sp. (amaranthus from Poinachi, Kasaragod district) and Aphelenchus avenae (vegetable crops from Eruvatty, Kannur district)
Predatory nematodes, plant parasitic nematodes, rhizosphere, vegetable crops
Occurrence of banana bunchy top virus in tissue-cultured and conventional banana cultivars in the Siang region of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Determination of economic injury level of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) on mustard
The Mustard is one of the important crops of rabi season in Kashmir. It provides forage to honey bees in early spring besides oilseed for human consumption. Mustard crop is attacked by various insect pests out of which Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) occupies a predominant position. It thrives well under climatic conditions of Kashmir and both nymphs and adults remain in a damaging stage from late winter to early spring when the crop is at flowering and pod formation stages leading to various deformities in the plant. Management is often restricted to insecticides that are applied indiscriminately without any regard to threshold levels. In this study an experiment was conducted to establish the economic threshold level of mustard aphid in the rabi season of 2023-2024. The crop was subjected to five exposure periods based on the incidence of the pest in the various fields of mustard over the period of years. The findings revealed that economic injury level (EIL) of mustard aphid was worked out to be 72.19 aphids/10 cm apical twig/plant, while as economic threshold level (ETL) was found to be 54.14 aphids/10cm apical twig/plant. There was a strong negative correlation (r= 0.99) between aphid density and seed yield of mustard.
Mustard, Lipaphis erysimi, economic threshold level
Field efficacy of new insecticide molecules against Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) and dissipation studies
A field trial of new insecticides was carried out against fall armyworm in maize during rabi, 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the College farm and studies on dissipation of selected insecticides were conducted at Pesticide Residues Laboratory, AINP on Pesticide Residues, PJTAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The bio-efficacy studies revealed that spinetoram was the most effective insecticide against S. frugiperda with 97.61 per cent reduction in population followed by indoxacarb (91.09%), spinosad (71.43%), emamectin benzoate (60.21%) and chlorantraniliprole (55.56%). The studies on dissipation pattern of selected insecticides in immature maize cobs revealed that indoxacarb persisted for 1.05 days while spinetoram dissipated below the limit of quantification (10 ppb), 2hrs after spraying.
S. frugiperda, new insecticides, spinetoram, indoxacarb and spinosad.
Sustainable management of mulberry root rot using marine algal bioactive compounds
Seaweeds are the good source of essential nutrients, excellent eco-friendly organic manure and alternative source for inorganic chemical fertilizer for sustaining the crop yield. It is an excellent source of bioactive components with reported antimicrobial activity. The in vitro evaluation of seaweed extract against mulberry root rot has been carried out through poison food technique, agar well diffusion, and disc diffusion assays. After proper inoculation and evaluation indicated that the seaweed extract @ 10000 ppm was found to be best with 71.1 per cent mycelial inhibition and COC @ 1000 ppm was found to be 92.6 per cent mycelial inhibition. From the results of in vitro evaluation, in planta evaluation has been carried out using mulberry seedlings with 3 to 4 leaf stage. The pathogen has been pre inoculated in each seedling and symptoms observed after 24 hours of inoculation. After two days the best treatment has been inoculated through soil drenching and foliar application. It has been found that SE @ 10000 ppm has shown results with disease reduction. Even though the per cent mycelial inhibition was lower than copper oxy chloride, higher concentration may be effective against the disease incidence and safe to the environment.
Mulberry root rot, Macrophomina phaeseolina, Seaweed extract, PFT, AWDA, DDA
Evaluation of triazole and strobilurin group fungicides and their combinations against rice leaf blast under nursery conditions
Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a major constraint to rice production. A field experiment was conducted under nursery conditions to evaluate the efficacy of triazole, strobilurin, and their combination fungicides along with a biocontrol agent (Pseudomonas fluorescens) for the management of rice leaf blast. Significant differences were observed among treatments in reducing disease severity. The lowest Per cent Disease Index (PDI) was recorded with Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole @ 0.08% (13.33%), which resulted in the highest disease reduction (77.20%) over control. This was followed by Tricyclazole @ 0.06% (14.41%) and Pyraclostrobin @ 0.04% (18.14%), which were statistically on par. Combination fungicides such as azoxystrobin + tebuconazole and Azoxystrobin + Difenconazole showed moderate efficacy. Individual triazoles, Tebuconazole and Difenconazole, were comparatively less effective. The biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens recorded moderate disease suppression (PDI 35.90%) and was superior to control. The study highlights the effectiveness of combination fungicides, particularly Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole, in managing rice blast under nursery conditions.
Rice leaf blast, Nursery, Fungicides, Triazoles, Strobilurins
Assessing the impact of Pseudocercospora leaf spot infection on commercially important silkworm cocoon characters
One of the major challenges to successful sericulture in India is the prevalence of infections in mulberry. In West Bengal, Pseudocercospora leaf spot, which is caused by [Pseudocercospora mori], is a highly frequent ailment. An investigation was conducted to determine the impact of feeding mulberry leaves infected with Pseudocercospora leaf spot on the number and quality of cocoon and silk. The silkworm larvae were fed varying grades of Pseudocercospora leaf spot infected leaves, and the rearing parameters (larval duration, length, weight, single cocoon weight, single shell weight, shell ratio, ERR wt., ERR no., mortality and biochemical analysis of leaves) were used to measure the effects of the feeding. The total larval duration increased by 4 more days due to the feeding of different graded of Pseudocercospora leaf spot leaves in comparison to 22 days in control. Decreased from 3.13 g to 0.65 g (G-IV). The larvae weight from 2.00g to 0.85g for single cocoon weight; from 0.44 g to 0.09 g for single shell weight; from 22.02% and 11.04% for shell ratio percentage; from 19.53 kg to 1.58 kg for effective rate of rearing weight and from 9266 to 1400 for effective rate of rearing number in respect of healthy and Grade-IV diseased leaves. The reduction in quality and yield of larvae was proportional to the level of disease severity. It was observed that all the biochemical properties i.e. amount of moisture, protein, chlorophyll and total sugar contents were reduced drastically in mulberry leaves due to Pseudocercospora leaf spot diseases which negatively affect the growth of larvae and cocoon.
Bombyx mori, Pseudocercospora leaf spot, Morus spp., economic parameters, biochemical analysis.
Management of Alternaria leaf spot and blight of groundnut using fungicides
A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides in managing Alternaria leaf spot and blight in peanut. The results indicated that all fungicidal treatments significantly reduced disease severity compared to the untreated control, with no statistical differences among treatments. Among the tested fungicides, two sprays of Difenoconazole @ 0.025% at 60 and 70 days after sowing (T5) were most effective, recording the lowest disease severity (3.3) against 4.8 in control with the highest per cent efficacy of 32%. Biological, pod, and haulm yields were significantly enhanced by all treatments, with T5 showing the maximum pod yield (1807 kg/ha) and haulm yield (3162 kg/ha) compared to control (1572 and 2752 kg/ha, respectively), resulting in a 13% increase in biological yield. Economic analysis revealed that T5 treatment achieved an incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICBR) of 1:4.8, slightly lower than T1 (1:6.1) due to higher fungicide cost. Overall, Difenoconazole @ 0.025% proved to be the most effective treatment for the management of Alternaria leaf spot and blight in peanut with significant yield improvement.
Alternaria leaf blight, Alternaria leaf spot, Peanut, Fungicides, disease management
Kusmi lac production in Central Narmada valley, Madhya Pradesh, facts and factors
The study was conducted in district Narmadapuram of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India during the year 2017-2018. This district is located in the ‘Central Narmada valley’ agro-climatic zone and is known for its agricultural production. In order to gather data, seven villages were selected from the district, with ten farmers from each village chosen for the study. After analyzing the data, it was found that the fresh and dry weight of the Jethwi crop, Oleosa tree was significantly higher than that of Agahni crop. However, despite this difference, it was observed that this attribute did not contribute to an increase in overall yield from the tree. Interestingly, it was noted that the yield per plant and yield per foot stick were higher in Jethwi crop, but these differences were not statistically significant.
Lac, Aghani, Jethwi, Kusmi, Kerria lacca, Tachardiidae, Homoptera
Mango Capacity Building Programme 2025 - Event Completion Report
Occasion: National Farmers' Day (Kisan Diwas)
In Defence of Seed Sovereignty: Linking Community Seed Banks, Custodian Farmers, and Other Conservationists with the National Gene Bank
Proceedings - A one-day seminar with Stakeholders on 17 April 2025 – Organized by the Plant Protection Association of India
Genomic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Cucumber Mosaic Virus infecting Chilli in Telangana
Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) is one of the most widespread and economically destructive plant viruses affecting vegetable crops such as chilli, tomato, and cucumber in India. The present study aimed to elucidate the evolutionary and molecular diversity of CMV isolates infecting chilli crops in Telangana. Field samples showing typical CMV symptoms were collected from major chilli-growing districts including Hyderabad, Mahaboonagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, and Khammam. Complete genome sequencing of these five isolates revealed the tripartite RNA genome organization of CMV, with genome sizes of RNA1 ranging from 3339– 3358 nt, RNA2 from 3044–3056 nt, and RNA3 from 2207–2222 nt. Comparative analyses showed that the genome architecture of the Telangana isolates closely resembled that of 44 CMV isolates reported globally. Nucleotide sequence identity among the TEL isolates and other CMV global isolates ranged from 88.1– 99.7% for RNA1, 88.6–99.6% for RNA2, and 89–99.6% for RNA3, indicating a high level of conservation. Cistron-by-cistron analysis, including both coding and untranslated regions (UTRs), exhibited similar sequence identity trends. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length genomes and individual RNA segments grouped global CMV isolates into three major subgroups: IA, IB, and II. All the TEL isolates from Telangana consistently clustered within subgroup IB, suggesting their close evolutionary relationship with CMV subgroup IB strains reported from different geographical regions. This study provides the first comprehensive genomic characterization of CMV isolates infecting chilli in Telangana and contributes valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics, genetic variability, and phylogenetic placement of CMV populations in India.
Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Chilli, genetic diversity, phylogenetic analysis, subgroup IB.
Incidence of diseases and insect pests on Ziziphus spp. in Wag-himra Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Ziziphus species are drought-tolerant trees widely distributed in the drylands of Ethiopia, providing critical forage and nutritional resources for humans and livestock. Despite their importance, these species are increasingly threatened by diseases and insect pests, yet information on their prevalence, distribution, and severity remains limited. This study aimed to identify and document the major diseases and insect pests of Ziziphus species and assess their incidence, severity, and spatial distribution in the Wag-Himra Zone. Six purposively selected kebeles across two districts were surveyed during the fruiting season. Occurrence of pests and diseases was recorded through visual observation of symptoms. Four major diseases Anthracnose, Fruit Spot, Fusarium Wilt, and Fruit Rust and two insect pests leaf-eating caterpillars and fruit borers were identified. Anthracnose affected both unripe and ripe fruits as well as leaves in midland and lowland areas, while Fruit Rust was observed on all sampled tree parts. Fruit Spot and fruit borers were the most frequently encountered pests in both agro-ecologies. The findings provide baseline information on the status, prevalence, and severity of pests and diseases affecting Ziziphus species in dryland Ethiopia. Given their economic and nutritional importance, further research is recommended to evaluate their impact on fruit yield and to develop effective management strategies for sustainable production and improved fruit quality.
Fruit trees, pest and disease incidence, fruit yield loss, Agro-ecology.
Weather-driven variability in cue lure trap catches of fruit flies across cropping seasons in Kashmir and Kerala
Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are the most destructive pests of cucurbitaceous crops and their population dynamics is strongly influenced by weather. The present research investigated the seasonal variability of fruit fly trap catches using cue lure in two contrasting agro-climatic regions of India viz., Wadura, Kashmir having a temperate climate and Palakkad, Kerala representing tropical climate. Weekly monitoring was carried out across one cropping season of cucurbitaceous crops in Kashmir (kharif 2024) and two seasons in Kerala (rabi 2024-25 and late summer 2025). The observations revealed distinct location and season specific patters. In Kashmir, fruit fly incidence began in the 27th standard meteorological week (SMW), peaking during the 31st and 32nd SMW, with trap catches showing strong positive correlations with mean (r=+0.75), maximum (r=+0.53) and minimum(r=+0.79) temperatures, but a negative correlation with maximum relative humidity (r=-0.79). Weather parameters collectively explained 74.2% of the variation in the trap catches. In Kerala, fruit fly populations peaked during 52nd SMW of the rabi season, with maximum relative humidity showing a positive correlation (r=+0.59) and maximum temperature a negative correlation(r=-0.52). During late summer, trap catches were highest in early crop weeks and positively correlated with mean and maximum temperature (r=+0.59 and +0.67 respectively), but negatively correlated with rainfall (r=-0.86) and mean and maximum relative humidity (r=-0.68 and -0.78 respectively). The weather parameters explained 52.3% variation and 84.1% variation in fruit fly population in rabi and late summer season. These insights the need for location and season specific pest management strategies foe cucurbit production.
Cucurbitaceae, kharif, Population dynamics, rabi, Tephritidae, weather parameters.
Weather influenced seasonal dynamics of key insect pests and natural enemies in Mustard ecosystem
The study was conducted on mustard during the rabi season of 2022-23 identified three major pests: aphid (Lipaphis erysimi), sawfly (Athalia lugens proxima), and painted bug (Bagrada cruciferarum), which caused significant crop losses at different growth stages. The highest aphid population was recorded during the 7th SMW, with 110.80 aphids per 10 cm of the central twig plant-1 at the siliqua formation stage. The aphid population showed a significant positive correlation with sunshine (r=0.514*, respectively). Additionally, the aphid population had a significant positive correlation with coccinellids and syrphid flies (r = 0.662** and r = 0.598*, respectively). Natural enemies played a crucial role in controlling the aphid population suppression. The highest density of mustard sawfly larvae was recorded during the 49th SMW, with 1.80 larvae plant-1, and it showed a significant negative correlation with relative humidity and windspeed (r = -0.58* and r = -0.54*). The painted bug population peaked during the 8th SMW, with 2.20 bugs plant-1, and showed significant positive correlations with maximum temperature (r = 0.511*) and as well as sunshine (r = 0.547*, respectively). Multiple regression analysis exhibit that weather factors including maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, sunshine hours, Coccinellids and Syrphid fly collectively explained 75.80% (R² = 0.758) of the variability in aphid, while maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, sunshine hours,67.10% (R² = 0.671), 59.40% (R² = 0.594) of the variability in saw fly and painted bug, respectively.
Aphid, sawfly, painted bug, Mustard and weather parameters.
Management of nematode infestation in Banana (Musa spp.) planting material by boiling water treatment
An investigation was carried out to study the effect of immersing planting materials (suckers) of banana cultivar Nendran (Plantain - AAB) in boiling water at 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds duration on nematode infestation, germination and growth of the suckers. Significant decrease in population of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus coffeae and complete elimination of population of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita were observed on suckers immersed for 45 and 60 seconds duration. Germination of the suckers was not affected across the treatments and significant increase in plant height, girth and number of leaves was observed between the treated and control plants.
Nematode infestation, banana suckers, Pratylenchus coffeae Meloidogyne incognita.
Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing seedling and leaf blight in coconut: an opportunistic pathogen exploiting host stress in nursery and field conditions
Lasiodiplodia theobromae (syn. Botryodiplodia theobromae), though typically considered a weak or opportunistic pathogen, is increasingly recognized as a major threat to coconut cultivation, particularly under stress conditions such as high humidity, drought, poor drainage, and nutrient imbalance. It causes seedling blight, leaf blight, and nut rot, leading to yield losses of up to 25%. Given the economic significance and long gestation period of coconut, early-stage infections can severely reduce plant vigor and productivity. The rising incidence of this disease is attributed to climate variability and inadequate nursery management practices. In this study, L. theobromae isolates from Andhra Pradesh were characterized morphologically, culturally, and molecularly using ITS region sequencing. Observations included colony morphology, pigmentation, spore size, and fruiting structures. Pathogenicity was confirmed through artificial inoculation techniques. The pathogen, primarily spread through pycnidia and conidia on infected debris, soil, and tools, thrives under humid and poorly drained conditions. An in vitro fungicide screening at 100, 250, and 500 ppm demonstrated complete mycelial inhibition by Carbendazim, Tebuconazole + Captan, Prochloraz + Tricyclazole, Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin, and Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole + Prochloraz. Other fungicides such as Tebuconazole (Bounos), Propiconazole (Tilt), and Fluopyram + Tebuconazole showed dose-dependent efficacy. Field trials conducted over two seasons at Dr. YSRHU–HRS, Ambajipeta, revealed that spraying Carbendazim (1 g/l) followed by Potassium Sulphate (5 g/l) in alternate weeks provided the highest disease suppression (81.49–79.15%). Treatments with Copper Oxychloride, Hexaconazole, and Propiconazole combined with SOP were moderately effective.
Coconut, Disease management, Leaf blight, Seedling blight, characterization, symptotology, Management, Fungicides, Nursery.
Copyright (c) 2025 Plant Protection Association of India
In Memoriam: A Tribute to the Lives and Enduring Legacies of Distinguished Indian Entomologists
Utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for real-time insect surveillance in precision Integrated Pest Management systems
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) play a pivotal role in revolutionizing precision integrated pest management (IPM) by providing a sophisticated and efficient means of monitoring insects. Equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology, UAVs can capture high-resolution aerial data, enabling real-time identification and analysis of insect populations across agricultural landscapes. This proactive approach allows for timely interventions, optimizing pest control strategies and minimizing the use of pesticides. The ability of UAVs to cover vast areas quickly enhances the overall effectiveness of IPM, contributing to sustainable and environmentally conscious farming practices. UAVs play a significant role in precision insect monitoring and management, fostering more targeted and resource-efficient pest control in agriculture. UAVs facilitate the collection of multispectral and thermal data, aiding in the detection of subtle changes in plant health caused by insect infestations. This information helps farmers identify affected areas early on, enabling them to implement precise interventions. The integration of machine learning algorithms further enhances UAV capabilities by automating insect recognition processes, allowing for swift and accurate identification of pest species. UAVs provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods of insect monitoring, reducing the need for labour-intensive fieldwork. Overall, the utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles in insect monitoring for precision IPM signifies a technological leap towards sustainable agriculture practices with minimized environmental impact and increased crop yield.
Drones, agriculture applications, agriculture UAV, smart technology, pest monitoring, precision agriculture, remote sensing, IPM.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of predatory arthropods in Soybean ecosystems and their relationship with climatic variables
A field investigation was conducted during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2024–25 at the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Latur, Maharashtra, to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of predatory arthropods in soybean ecosystems and their relationship with weather parameters. The experiment was carried out under pesticide-free conditions using the soybean variety MAUS 725. Weekly observations of two key natural enemies viz., ladybird beetles and spiders were recorded throughout the seasons. Sampling involved randomly selecting five plants from each of three quadrats, across a total of forty-eight quadrats. On Kharif soybean, ladybird beetle populations ranged from 0.50 to 3.67 insects per plant, while spider populations varied from 0.10 to 2.70 insects per plant. In the Rabi season, ladybird beetle populations ranged between 0.16 and 2.63 insects per plant, and spiders ranged from 0.12 to 0.83 insects per plant. The peak population of ladybird beetles on Kharif soybean (3.67 insects/plant) was observed in the 37th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), while spiders peaked (2.70 insects/plant) in the 35th SMW. In Rabi soybean, the highest ladybird beetle count (2.63 insects/plant) occurred in the 47th SMW, and the maximum spider population (0.83 insects/plant) was recorded in the 48th SMW. Correlation analysis revealed that ladybird beetles were positively, though non-significantly, correlated with rainfall and temperature, while spiders showed similar trends, except for a significant negative correlation with afternoon relative humidity during the Rabi season. The peak activity of both predators was higher during the Kharif season, coinciding with moderate to high rainfall, elevated temperatures, and lower afternoon humidity. Statistical analysis confirmed that seasonal weather variations significantly influenced predator populations. These findings underscore the importance of climatic factors in shaping natural enemy dynamics and reinforce the potential role of these predators in integrated pest management strategies under varying seasonal conditions.
Soybean, Glycine max (L), Ladybird beetles, spiders, spatio-temporal dynamics.
Insects in a warming world: responses and challenges
Global climate change, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions, significantly impacts agro-ecosystems. Atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen sharply from 280 ppm to 420 ppm and may double by 2100. Over the past century, the global average temperature has increased by 0.8°C and is projected to rise further, triggering widespread changes in the biosphere. These environmental shifts influence insect pest dynamics. Higher CO₂ levels enhance plant photosynthesis, increasing the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio in leaves. This reduces leaf nutritional quality, causing slower insect development, lower reproduction, and higher mortality. Consequently, natural enemies feeding on these insects may also be affected. Temperature plays a crucial role in insect behaviour, development, and distribution. Rising temperatures can alter pest population size (increase or decrease), shift insect geographic ranges and modify life cycle timing and overwintering behaviour. A 2°C temperature rise could allow insects to complete 1-5 extra generations per season. Climate warming also disrupts interactions between species across trophic levels. To manage insect pests effectively under changing climate conditions, strategies must include continuous monitoring and surveillance, international collaboration and data sharing and development of adaptive and sustainable pest management approaches.
Climate change, insects, elevated CO2 and elevated temperature.
Investigation on biochemical plant factors associated with resistance against insect pests in Black Gram
A laboratory experiment was carried on role of biochemical constituents against insect pests in black gram at Department of Biochemistry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat during 2019 and 2020. The biochemical factors viz., total phenol, total soluble sugars, crude protein, moisture and total chlorophyll were estimated in different genotypes/varieties of black gram. Among the genotypes, PANT-U-31recorded the highest phenol content in leaf, flower and pod followed by DBUGP-16-1. Phenols exhibited highly significant negative correlation with the insect-pests indicating major role in imparting the resistance in black gram genotypes. Other biochemical parameters showed a significant positive association with the insect-pests. The highly significant positive association between incidence of insect pests on black gram genotypes and their biochemical constituent’s viz., total soluble sugar, crude protein, moisture and total chlorophyll content clearly indicated the significant role of these compounds on pest incidence. The resistant genotypes had low amount of TSS, crude protein, moisture and chlorophyll content in contrast to phenol. The total phenol content showed highly significant negative correlation with whitefly (r=-0.87**), jassid (r=-0.90**) flower thrips (r=-0.79**), Bihar hairy caterpillar (r=-0.93**), spotted pod borer (r=- 0.92**) and leaf eating caterpillar exhibited (r=-0.65*) significant negative correlation with phenol which plays a significant role in defense mechanism.
Biochemical factors, Total phenol, white fly, Bihar hairy caterpillar.
Harnessing Indian genetic heritage: plant genetic resources as foundational tools for sustainable plant health management
Sustainable agriculture faces a critical challenge: feeding a growing global population while mitigating the impacts of climate change, pest evolution, and a reliance on chemical inputs. This review argues that Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) serve as a foundational, pre-emptive toolkit for achieving sustainable plant health. We explore how genetic diversity, particularly in landraces and crop wild relatives (CWRs), provides durable, multi-gene resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. This principle is demonstrated through compelling case studies across major crops, including wheat, rice, and maize, and a few vegetable crops. The paper highlights the role of modern tools—such as high-throughput phenotyping, genomic sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas9—in rapidly identifying and deploying these valuable traits. While India possesses a vast and rich genetic heritage, its effective utilization is currently hindered by a significant utilization deficit, fragmented data systems, and complex policy hurdles. We propose a proactive roadmap to address these challenges, focused on the creation of a national “PGR-to-product” pipeline, seamless digital integration of data, and robust institutional support for Community Seed Banks (CSBs), to transform India’s genetic heritage from a conserved asset into a dynamic engine for resilient, sustainable agriculture.
Plant Genetic Resources (PGR), Sustainable Plant Health, Durable Resistance, Utilization Deficit, PGRto- Product Pipeline, Community Seed Banks (CSB), High-Throughput Phenotyping (HTP), Genomic-Assisted Breeding.
Economic impact of coconut diseases and their management through sustainable and eco-friendly approaches: An extension report on technology dissemination to boost productivity and resilience in coconut plantations of Andhra Pradesh
Coconut farming is crucial to Andhra Pradesh’s economy, with the state significantly contributing to India’s production. Over the past two decades, major diseases like basal stem rot, bud rot, and stem bleeding have affected coconut crops. Basal stem rot, the most prevalent, caused yield losses up to 51% in neglected conditions, with an average incidence of 14.11%. Bud rot led to up to 31% yield loss in young gardens, while stem bleeding caused 18% yield loss. However, the adoption of timely technologies and bio agents has helped reduce these losses. Basal stem rot incidence decreased from 20.60% to 8.28%, bud rot from 25.63% to 0.86%, and stem bleeding from 10.21% to 4.35%. These measures saved farmers significant losses, including Rs. 4412.71 per acre from basal stem Rot, Rs. 10,018 per acre from stem bleeding, and Rs. 2741 per acre from bud rot. By 2020, preventive actions saved nearly ₹30 crore across 41,513 acres from basal stem rot, 9,379 acres from stem bleeding, and 2,530 acres from bud rot, benefiting farmers in districts of East Godavari and Srikakulam.
Coconut, Disease management, basal stem rot, stem bleeding, bud rot, bio control, transfer of technology.
A simple, rapid and cost-effective protocol for species identification of plant parasitic nematodes by PCR based downstream application
Plant parasitic nematodes are tiny, aquatic, obligate biotrophic worms that primarily impact below-ground parts of plants. Accurate identification of nematode species is crucial for assessing the global distribution of economically significant nematode pests and devising effective management strategies. Traditional methods of species-level identification rely on morphometric data, but this approach is becoming outdated due to a shortage of nematode taxonomists and the advent of molecular tools. In recent years, molecular techniques have gained popularity for nematode species identification. However, obtaining sufficient high quality genomic DNA from nematodes is challenging due to their microscopic size, the need for a large number of nematodes, and the presence of multi-species nematode communities in the plant rhizosphere. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a rapid, cost-effective, and efficient protocol for identifying species using single or few nematode through molecular approaches. In this study, we have successfully developed and standardized a protocol that involves the direct use of one or a few nematodes for genomic DNA amplification through PCR. This innovative approach eliminates the need for isolating, storing, and maintaining nematode DNA samples, streamlining the identification process and making it more accessible and practical.
Plant parasitic nematodes, Simple extraction protocol, molecular techniques, PCR, identification.