Evaluation of chemical pesticides for the management of Top Borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker) in sugarcane

An experiment was conducted at research field of National Sugarcane Research Program, Jeetpur, Nepal in 2014 and 2016, to evaluate the efficacy of chemical insecticides against sugarcane top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker). Nine different treatments viz. Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 G, Cartap hydrochloride 4 G, Fipronil 0.3 G, Carbofuran 3 G (standard check) as soil application and foliar spray of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Thiodicarp 75 WP, Spinosad 45 SC, Chlorpyrifos 20 EC (standard check) and one untreated check (control) were used in randomized complete block design with three replications. The top borer susceptible genotype, Co 0238 was planted on February and single application of these insecticides was done on July at brood stage against top borers. The lowest 10.65 and 12.43, 13.68, 14.61, 14.15 percentage of top borer damage was found in foliar application of Chlorantraniliprole @ 35g a.i. /ha followed by Spinosad @ 125g a.i. /ha and soil application of Cartap hydrochloride @ 1500g a.i /ha and foliar application of Thiodicarp @ 1500g a.i. /ha and Fipronil @ 100g a.i. /ha. The infestation percentage reduction over control was found highest in Chlorantraniliprole (69.40%) followed by Spinosad (64.29%) treated plots. Furthermore, the cane yield was highest in Chlorantraniliprole (92.30 mt/ha) and Spinosad (90.06 mt/ha) treated plots than that of other insecticide treated plots. The number of millable canes and cane diameter in the plots among the treatment was found non-significant. Based on the infestation reduction rate, foliar application of the chemical insecticide (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC and Spinosad 45 SC) could be better option for chemical management of sugarcane top borer. &nbsp

Screening of sugarcane genotypes against Top Borer (Scirpophaga exerptalis Walker) infestation

Fourty sugarcane genotypes with different period of maturity were evaluated against top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker) infestation under natural field condition during 2018 and 2019 at National Sugarcane Research Program, Jeetpur, Nepal. The experiment was conducted in alpha-lattice design under natural condition of infestation using Co 0238 as susceptible check. Based on the incidence, 26 genotypes were categorized as less susceptible, eleven genotypes were found moderately susceptible to S. excerptalis. However, among less susceptible genotypes lowest incidence of 3.11 percent was recorded in genotype CoS 8432. Whereas, highest incidence of 25.24 percent was recorded in highly susceptible genotype, CoSe 98255BD 24. Most of the cane genotypes were found low to moderately susceptible, having 5 to 20% incidence of the pest. Whereas, some of the varieties, namely CoH 160 (21.22%), CoSe 95255 BD 24 (25.24%) and BO 150 (22.02%) were found highly susceptible. The mechanism responsible for host plant resistance against top borer is not studied in this experimentation. The study in these aspects is to be conducted to explore the mechanisms of host plant resistance for using these resistant genotypes for breeding purpose

A survey and assessment of grasshoppers’ population in various sugarcane growing areas of Harion municipality in Sarlahi district, Nepal

A small-scale study of grasshopper populations was undertaken in Harion municipality of Sarlahi district to ascertain whether grasshopper population in sugarcane growing areas is changing in consecutive years 2014 and 2015. The regular sugarcane growing areas were randomly selected and the survey was conducted to estimate the population in those consecutive years in 14 different locations where outbreak of Hieroglyphus banian (Fabricius) has occurred. The per square meter population was estimated using a ‘T’ shape which was made by tying 1m long two sticks to estimate one square meter area. The population of two consecutive years was compared to study the relationship between two years populations. The grasshopper infestation by risk category indicated that infestation warranted rating of severe in ward seven, eight and nine for 2015 from the population of 2014 AD. For 2016 AD, the risk was found low as most of the areas was categorized as moderate to light category as the population was found low in 2015 AD. Grasshopper population densities were found higher in some areas of Sarlahi district in the first year as compared to the second year. The population level in the first year was not found to induce population in next year as the population decreased in the second year. The trend of grasshopper population was not so threatening as the population was not found increasing in these years so was risk for next year. This might be due to the management of grasshoppers in nymphal stage in previous year, weather parameters, location, inter-cultural operations, decreasing of the rationing crops or presence of natural enemies. These findings provide guidance for the farmers in relation to grasshopper management and for future survey programs in relation to targeting regions of the district at risk from grasshoppers

Nano-therapeutic efficacy of green synthesized gold nanoparticles (gAuNPs) and its antibacterial efficacy

455-460We report the efficacy of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using the leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini (common name Jamun) with auric chloride (AuCl4) which was used as both reducing and capping agent at room temperatures- 25°C. Synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy indicating a peak in the range of 520-540 nM. The hydrodynamic radii measured by DLS clearly indicated the size of AuNPs in the range of 14-64 nM. The biological efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer method, applied for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The Zone of inhibition (ZOI) diameter was found to be 4 mM and 3 mM in S. aureus and E. coli, as indicated by the bactericidal activity. Hence, AuNPs synthesized by green synthesis are proposed as economical, environment friendly with immense potential as an antibacterial agent and for drug delivery

Immunomodulatory potential of nanomaterials: Interaction with the immune system

1159-1162Immunomodulation is an attractive approach to overcome the limitations of traditional therapeutic regimes against diseases. Immunomodulation-based therapies are emerging as promising alternative strategy that involves the defense mechanisms of the host to recognize and selectively eliminate diseases. Recent developments in nanotechnology have forged a revolution as development of nano-emulsions, nanotubes, and nanoparticles have provided promising strategies as novel immune-modulatorsto enhance efficacy at target sites. Moreover, interaction between nanoparticles and the immune system may cause unanticipated adverse reactions such as hypersensitivity, inflammation and necrosis. Therefore, to ensure a successful and safe clinical application of immune-modulatory nanoparticles, it is necessary to gain in-depth knowledge and a clear understanding of the multifaceted nature of the interactions between nanoparticles and immune system. Since elevated immunological responses are detrimental in elimination of exogenous or endogenous antigens, there are many bottlenecks that prevent the complete regulation of the immune system. Therefore, using nanostructures as transport vehicles to deliver immunological compounds to specific target sitesto overcome severe limitations. Different nanostructures are being exploited to develop novel adjuvants, innovative vaccines,and drugs to alter the immune system for various infectious and non-infectious diseases. The review focuses on various nanoparticle and their interplay with the immune system

Synthesis of iron nanoparticles, its characterization and anti-microbial activity assessment

1184-1189We reported the efficacy of the Iron nanoparticles (IONPs) and assessed two different approaches for the synthesis of IONPs i.e. Polyol and co-precipitation method and further, evaluate their antimicrobial properties. Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate salts were reduced with ethylene glycol to obtain IONP and Fe+2 and Fe+3 iron precursor salts were used for co-precipitation reaction that was performed with KOH at optimum heating. Further, synthesized (IONPs) were characterized by hydrodynamic radii measurement done by DLS clearly indicating the size of IONPs is 79.75 nm in polyol based and 135.1 nm in co-precipitation method. The biological efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer method, applied for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The ZOI values i.e. Zone of inhibition diameter was found to be clearly visible in both S. aureus and E. coli, indicating bactericidal activity. Further growth kinetics studies and bacterial genotoxicity was also assessed. Hence, IONPs synthesized are proposed to have great potential as an antibacterial agent and can be used in drug delivery

Nano-therapeutic efficacy of green synthesized gold nanoparticles (gAuNPs) and its antibacterial efficacy

We report the efficacy of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using the leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini (common name Jamun) with auric chloride (AuCl4) which was used as both reducing and capping agent at room temperatures- 25°C. Synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy indicating a peak in the range of 520-540 nM. The hydrodynamic radii measured by DLS clearly indicated the size of AuNPs in the range of 14-64 nM. The biological efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer method, applied for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The Zone of inhibition (ZOI) diameter was found to be 4 mM and 3 mM in S. aureus and E. coli, as indicated by the bactericidal activity. Hence, AuNPs synthesized by green synthesis are proposed as economical, environment friendly with immense potential as an antibacterial agent and for drug delivery

Evaluation of Chemical Pesticides for the Management of Top Borer (Scirpophaga Excerptalis Walker) in Sugarcane

An experiment was conducted at research field of National Sugarcane Research Program, Jeetpur, Nepal in 2014 and 2016, to evaluate the efficacy of chemical insecticides against sugarcane top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker). Nine different treatments viz. Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 G, Cartap hydrochloride 4 G, Fipronil 0.3 G, Carbofuran 3 G (standard check) as soil application and foliar spray of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Thiodicarp 75 WP, Spinosad 45 SC, Chlorpyrifos 20 EC (standard check) and one untreated check (control) were used in randomized complete block design with three replications. The top borer susceptible genotype, Co 0238 was planted on February and single application of these insecticides was done on July at brood stage against top borers. The lowest 10.65 and 12.43, 13.68, 14.61, 14.15 percentage of top borer damage was found in foliar application of Chlorantraniliprole @ 35g a.i. /ha followed by Spinosad @ 125g a.i. /ha and soil application of Cartap hydrochloride @ 1500g a.i /ha and foliar application of Thiodicarp @ 1500g a.i. /ha and Fipronil @ 100g a.i. /ha. The infestation percentage reduction over control was found highest in Chlorantraniliprole (69.40%) followed by Spinosad (64.29%) treated plots. Furthermore, the cane yield was highest in Chlorantraniliprole (92.30 mt/ha) and Spinosad (90.06 mt/ha) treated plots than that of other insecticide treated plots. The number of millable canes and cane diameter in the plots among the treatment was found non-significant. Based on the infestation reduction rate, foliar application of the chemical insecticide (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC and Spinosad 45 SC) could be better option for chemical management of sugarcane top borer. &nbsp