Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl

Studies on Heterosis for Pod Yield and Protein Content in Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. Sesquipedalis Verdc.)

A set of 29 genotypes including 7 parents, their 21 resultant hybrids and one commercial check variety (Arka Mangala) were sown during summer, 2019 at the College Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem to study the magnitude of heterosis using half diallel analysis for eleven characters. Significant differences were observed among the parents and hybrids indicating considerable genetic variation among these genotypes. Significant standard heterosis and high per se performance with regards to fruit yield per plant were recorded by the crosses viz., Babli x Lola , Babli x Bobbili Local, Babli x Trivendrum Local, Bobbili Local x Lola, Bobbili Local x Trivendrum Local and Lola x Trivendrum Local