Insect pest management Programme
The Insect Pest Management Programme is undertaking research on the problems on which research in other parts of the country is not conducted. Research is mainly focused on the insect pests of sugarcane, rice wheat and other cereals, fruits and vegetables. The research is oriented towards the development of pest scouting methods, development of varieties resistant to insect pests by cooperating with plant breeders, development of IPM models by using system analysis approach and implementation of IPM models in filed.
MISSION
STATEMENT
Minimizing crop losses due to insect pests achieving environmentally sound and
sustainable agricultural production.
GOAL
To protect major economic crops, fruits and vegetables from insect pests through
suitably and easily adaptable technology and to develop environmentally safe and
acceptable plant protection system.
OBJECTIVES
To
undertake research on ecology, biology, alternate hosts, insecticide
resistance, varietal resistance, botanical pesticides and integrated pest
management.
To develop Integrated Pest Management methods for food and horticultural crops and stored grains.
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
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PROJECTS IN HAND
Development
of botanical pesticides from traditionally used plant derivatives against
stored grain pests.
Integrated
management of cotton mealy bug.
Integrated
management of mango midges.
Pest risk analysis of rice, chilies, mango, citrus and dates.
PROJECTS IN PIPELINE
Development and improvement of mass production techniques of insect bio-control agents.
ACHIEVEMENTS
IPM Model for Fruit Flies.
Application
of Pheromone A mixture of methyl eugenol and a contact insecticide
(95:5) is applied to plywood blocks measuring 6x6x1.25 cm by dipping for 24
hours. These are nailed on the tree trunk at 1.5 meter height @ one block
per acre and recharged with the same pheromone insecticide mixture after
10-12 days during fruiting season.
Application
of Bait A mixture of protein hydrolysate and a stomach poison (90:10) is
sprayed @ 3% solution in water on 1m2 on the underside of the tree canopy on
each tree in mango and alternate plants in guava and other such plants at
10-12 days interval during fruiting.
Application
of 2% Neem Seed Powder Water Extract on susceptible varieties at 10-12
days interval during fruit ripening.
Sanitation
Collection of fallen infested fruits at 3 days interval and keeping the
collected fruit in the sun during summer or burying deep during winter.
Application
of the technology has shown more than 90% success in Mango and more than 80%
in guava.
Establishment of Biological Control Laboratories in Sugar Industry
Mass rearing laboratory of natural enemies was established at Insect Pest Management Programme, NARC. On the request from different sugar mills, scientists of IPMP, NARC, established mass rearing laboratories of enemies in vicinities of sugar mills. All the staff working in these laboratories has been trained to sustain the activities by themselves. The technology was transferred and Laboratories were established in Yousaf Sugar Mills Ltd. Sargodha, Shahtaj Sugar Mills Ltd. Mandi Bahauudin, Phalia Sugar Mills Ltd. and Pattoki Sugar Mills Ltd.
In addition Technical assistance to mass rearing of natural enemies were provided to Tandilanwala Sugar Mills Ltd. Faisalabad, Layyah Sugar Mills Ltd., Ashraf Sugar Mills Ltd. Bahawalpur and Shakarganj Sugar Mills Ltd. Jhang.
The technology is being demonstrated on 100,000 acres annually with 85-90% control of sugarcane borers and about 1000 farmers are benefited every year.
Neem
Seed Formulations at Farm Level
The
neem formulations have been extensively used by the farmers in Sind and
Punjab on cotton, rice, vegetables and fruits such as mango and guava. In 5
case studies on cotton in Khairpur the efficacy of the neem formulations has
been at par with insecticides such as Methamidophos, Thiodon, Deltaphos,
Karate and Talstar. Neem-based pesticides are now globally known as
effective and environment friendly pest control materials.
Neem
Oil Solution: Neem oil is extracted by crushing the neem seed in an
electric expeller. After oil extraction, neem seed cake is left over as a
residue. Then neem oil suspension is prepared by shaking after adding 1%
detergent (soap, surf or any liquid detergent) and an equal amount of water
in the purified neem oil. Thereafter, extra water is added to the suspension
to make 1% neem oil spray solution. The solution can be sprayed from 0.5-2%
concentrations depending on the spices crop and the nature of insect pests.
Neem oil solution sprays are applied at 10-12 days interval.
Neem
Seed /Neem Cake Powder Water Extract: Fine neem seed /neem cake powder
is obtained by grinding neem seed /neem cake and sieving through 60 mesh
sieve. The powder is kept in a cotton bag along with 1% detergent (soap,
surf or any liquid detergent) and soaked in hot water (80°C) for 16-20
hours. The extract thus obtained is diluted to prepare 2% water solution
based on the weight of the powder.
The
solution should be prepared fresh for each treatment and should be used
within 12-24 hours after preparation.
Protection
of stored grains from insects infestation using biopesticides
Extract
neem oil from shade-dried neem seed in an electric expeller.
Spray
neem oil @1000 mg/cm2 on empty new/fumigated storage bags with ULV
sprayer.
Store
fumigated grains in the treated bags which will provide more than 80%
protection for six months.
Evaluation
of cereals and other small grains for resistance against aphids species:
Screened 1915 wheat lines/varieties/germplasm, 258 barley lines/varieties/germplasm, 528 sorghum lines/varieties/germplasm, 252 millet lines/varieties/germplasm, 70 maize lines/varieties/germplasm and 251 rice lines/varieties/germplasm for resistance against major aphids species.
SCIENTISTS LIST
1.
Mr. Rafiq Masih, PSO/Programme Leader
2. Ms. Naheed Akhtar, PSO
3. Dr. Muhammad Naeemullah, SSO
4. Dr. Ehsan ul Haq, SSO
5. Mr. Muhammad Ashfaque, SO
6. Mr. Javed Khan, ASO
Resource Person:
| Mr. Rafiq Masih | PSO/Program Leader |
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[Last updated: March, 2008]
