Vertebrate Pest Management Programme
MISSION STATEMENT
Minimization of losses to food crops and natural resources through integrated
management of vertebrate pests.
GOAL
Development of integrated practices for management of vertebrate pests in
different agro-ecosystems.
OBJECTIVES
|
To conduct research on the management of vertebrate pests affecting cops, orchards, forest plantations, rangelands, other natural resources and stored grains.
To
transfer developed technology on VPM to federal and provincial
agricultural functionaries, NGOs and the end users |
|
ACTIVITIES
Feeding preference tests of different plain baits against porcupine under field conditions in forest plantations of Mangla and Tarbela watershed management areas
Evaluation of rodenticidal bait formulations against porcupine Hystrix indica.
Food habit studies through faecal contents analysis of porcupine Hystrix indica collected from forest plantations of Mangla and
Tarbela watershed management areas.
Development of IPM models and its implementation for the control of porcupine in both Tarbela and Mangla watershed management areas.
Training of farmers, forest functionaries, watershed management staff, irrigation staff and other agricultural stakeholders on the management of porcupine population through the implementation of IPM models and practical demonstrations.
Demand Based Advisory Services to Government Functionaries, Agricultural stakeholders NGO's and Farmers for the control of rodents and wild boar problem in agricultural crops, godowns, stores, warehouses, hospitals and residential buildings/offices etc.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Developed and evaluated 2% zinc phosphide 'rat-cake bait' for rodent control in irrigated and rain fed cropping systems.
Two-ingredient pyrotechnic fumigant has been developed and implemented. This technique has given 85-100% control of porcupine in forest plantations and rangelands.
Developed an anticoagulant bait formulation for the control of wild boar. This bait has given 80-95% control of wild boars.
Developed an underground baiting and spot-baiting technique for rodent control in rice wheat cropping system.
Six bait additives (eggshell, egg yolk, yeast, minced meat, sheep blood and chicken blood) were evaluated in wheat crop. Bromadiolone and brodifacoum bait with eggshell ranked first and egg yolk second in the order of preference.
Five rodenticides (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, coumatetralyl, pyriminyl and zinc phosphide) were evaluated for rodent control in wheat and rice crops. Among these brodifacoum and pyriminyl reduced the rodent activity by more than 85%.
Studies were conducted on population ecology and reproduction of rodent species infesting field crops in Pothwar reagion. The lesser bandicoot rat and Indian gerbils were the dominant species. November to February is the suitable time for rodenticide bait application with low inputs and high economic returns.
Studied were carried out on reproductive biology and population of house rat in Rawalpindi for 14-months. Examination of 2327 rats showed 40% pregnancy with average litter size 6. Average production of youngones was 11/female/year.
Studied the losses to stored grains due to rats in grain markets of Lahore, Faisalabad and Rwalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. Estimated 40 rats/shop. Average grain loss per shop was 740 kg/year. Total annual losses were estimated to 4000 mt/year.
Studies were carried out on wheat productivity enhancement through prevention of rodent pest damage in 5 villages on (324 ha) area of Chakwal. The grain yield increased by 10% with Cost Benefit Ratio 1:7.
Studies were carried out on productivity enhancement of groundnut through prevention of rodent pest damage in 5 villages (100 ha) area of Chakwal. Rodent damage was reduced by 90%. The economic yield was estimated at 75% with Cost Benefit Ratio of 1:48.
Large-scale operational research conducted on control of wild boar in 6 villages of FatehJang resulted in 92% reduction in the population. Damage to crop reduced by 72% with Cost Benefit Ratio of 1:33.
Operational research conducted on control of porcupine in rangelands of Bakhar (5020 ha) area and forest plantation of Changa Manga(3020 ha) area resulted in reduction of population by 96%.
Technology transfer was carried out in 2,000 ha wheat- and rice-growing area near Kunjah, Gujrat. At the end of 5 crop seasons, 34% of the farmers were using poison baits in rodent control and one pesticide dealer in Kunjah was producing and selling ready-made rodenticidal baits. Large-scale control operation against wild boar and porcupine was carried out at PAF air base Sarghodha.
Large-scale operation against wild boar was carried out in four villages near Abbotabad.
Bird-aircraft strike hazards: a report was submitted to Air Headquarters, Chaklala, Rawalpindi regarding the bird damage to aircrafts.
TRAININGS
To prevent the pneumanic plague a series of seminars and training courses on "Rodent Control in Urban Environment" were conducted. 284 persons from Punjab and NWFP Health Departments were trained.
Training on VPM was imparted to 238 rural women, 549 Agric. and Forest staff and over 3000 farmers.
SCIENTISTS LIST
1. Mr. Rafiq Masih, SSO (Programme Leader)
2. Mr. Shahid Munir, SSO
3. Mr. Mohammad Irfan, SO
Resource Person:
| Dr.Rafiq Masih | SSO/ Programme Leader |
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[Last updated March, 2008]
