Integrated Management of the Yellow Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), on Sweet Pepper Grown under Polyhouse

Different IPM modules were evaluated for the management of yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) on sweet pepper grown under protected cultivation at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Results indicated that application of module 1(spray of abamectin followed by ethion and abamectin) or module 2 (spray of abamectin followed by profenophos and abamectin) was significantly more effective (3.91-6.58 mites/ leaf) than module 3 (spray of dicofol followed by pongamia oil and neem seed kernal extract (5.79 -6.95 mites/ leaf) in the first two trials (Sept. 2002- Mar. 2003 and June - Dec.2003). IPM modules like module 4 (spray of dicofol followed by release of Amblyseius tetranychivorus and spray of Verticillium lecanii and module 5 (spray of dicofol followed by release of A. tetranychivorus and spray of pongamia oil (9.25-15.53 mites/leaf) were marginally effective during the first two trials. However, in the third trial (Mar. - Sept., 2004) all the revised modules, viz., abamectin followed by dicofol (M1), dicofol-fenazaquin (M2), fenazaquin-pongamia oil (M3) and organic module oxymetrin-neem soap (M4) were effective (2.30-3.03 mites/leaf) against the yellow mite

Liver disease in children: an autopsy study

The commonest cause of liver injury in children in Kurnool is kwashiorkor. The other causes are fatty liver due to infections or anemia, non-specific hepatitis, miliary tuberculosis, cirrhosis and others. In cirrhosis, Indian childhood cirrhosis is the commonest type seen

Characterization of Triadica sebifera (L.) Small Extracts, Antifeedant Activities of Extracts, Fractions, Seed Oil and Isolated Compounds against Plutella xylostella (L.) and Their Effect on Detoxification Enzymes

Plutella xylostella L. is one of the world’s major pests of cruciferous crops. The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides has led to insecticide resistance and resurgence, and has been harmful to non-target organisms and the environment. Botanical insecticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides for the management of pests in organic agriculture and integrated management. T. sebifera is an invasive species and has good potential as an insecticide due to the availability of plant material in some parts of India. The antifeedant activities of T. sebifera have not been reported against P. xylostella and other lepidopteron insects to date. Therefore, the current study targeted the characterization of leaf and bark extracts, feeding deterrence, synergistic and detoxification enzyme activities of leaf/bark ethanolic extracts/fractions, seed oil, and isolated compounds. UHPLC-QTOF-IMS analysis showed that shikimic acid, xanthoxylin, quercetin, kaempferol, methyl gallate, and stigmasterol are common metabolites identified in leaf and bark extracts. The combination of seed oil with bark extract showed higher deterrence (DC50 = 317.10 mg/L) as compared to leaf/bark extracts alone. Gallic acid showed higher deterrence (67.48%) than kaempferol and quercetin. The n-butanol fraction of bark was more repellent (RC50 = 414.61 mg/L). Based on DC50, the seed oil with leaf extract (1:1 ratio) alone with choice and seed oil with leaf and bark extract without choice showed synergistic interaction, but seed oil with bark extract with choice showed additive interaction. The ethanol extract of leaf, bark, and seed oil inhibited GST and AChE in P. xylostella. The leaf extract and seed oil or their combinations may be recommended as antifeedants to reduce damage by P. xylostella based on persistence, antifeedant, phytotoxicity, safety to predators/parasitoids, etc., under field conditions

Insecticidal and Detoxification Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Essential Oils for the Control of Pulse Beetle, <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> (F.) and <i>Callosobruchus chinensis</i> (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Pulse beetle is the most harmful pest attacking stored grains and affecting quality and marketability. Continuous use of chemical-based pesticides against pulse beetle led to the development of insecticidal resistance; essential oils (EOs) can be an effective natural alternative against this pest. The main objective was to study the chemical composition of seven EOs viz., Acorus calamus, Hedychium spicatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Juniperus recurva, Juniperus communis, Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana, their insecticidal and enzyme inhibition activities against pulse beetle. The primary compounds present in these EOs were cis-asarone, 1,8-cineole, linalyl isobutyrate, 2-β-pinene, camphene, α-dehydro-ar-himachalene and camphene. A. calamus oil showed promising fumigant toxicity to Callosobruchus maculatus and C. chinensis (LC50 = 1357.86 and 1379.54 µL/L, respectively). A combination of A. calamus + L. angustifolia was effective against C. maculatus and C. chinensis (LC50 = 108.58 and 92.18 µL/L, respectively). All the combinations of EOs showed synergistic activity. In the repellency study, A. calamus showed more repellence to C. maculatus and C. chinensis (RC50 = 53.98 and 118.91 µL/L, respectively). A. calamus and L. angustifolia oil at 2500, 5000 and 10,000 µL/L significantly inhibited the AChE and GST enzymes in C. maculatus and C. chinensis after 24 and 48 h

MYCOPARASITISM OF TRICHODERMA SPP. ON RHIZOCTONIA BATATICOLA, THE CAUSAL AGENT OF DRY ROOT ROT OF CHICKPEA

ABSTRACT: Mode of parasitism between Trichoderma and Rhizoctonia bataticola was examined under a microscope. Formation of several loops and coiling around the hyphae of pathogen, forming a thick compact rope like structure followed by rupturing, twisting and leakage of hyphal protoplasm, air bubbling inside the cytoplasm, breaking of cytoplasmic continuity, aggregation of cytoplasm within cell leading to severe vacoulation were observed at later phase of interaction. Key Words: Mycoparasitism, Trichoderma, Rhizoctonia bataticol

POTENTIAL OF TRICHODERMA SPP. AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS AGAINST RHIZOCTONIA BATATICOLA CAUSING DRY ROOT ROT OF CHICKPEA

ABSTRACT: Ten Trichoderma spp were isolated from chickpea rhizosphere and root endophytic region by using serial dilution technique and purified by single hyphal tip method. Out of the ten isolates tested against Rhizoctonia bataticola, Trichoderma isolate-7 showed highest inhibition percentage (83.33). In compatability tests with commonly used fungicides, Trichoderma isolate-7 showed highest compatability with validamycin (72.22%) followed by copper oxychloride (66.66%)

Combining Ability Studies on Yield and Yield Related Traits in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Aim: The present study was conducted to generate information regarding the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), genetic parameters and GCA and SCA variances in tomato. Study Design: The parents and F1s were laid out in Randomized block design with 3 replications. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at research farm of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Crosses were generated in Line x Tester design and resultant F1, F2 and parents were evaluated. Methodology: After genetic diversity evaluation, ten genotypes were selected and used as females which were crossed with three other selected genotypes used as males in Line × Tester mating design followed by evaluation of their F1 hybrids along with parents. Results: The study concluded that Pant T-3 was a good general combiner for plant height, days to 50% flowering and days to first fruit set, Kashi Amrit was a good general combiner for number of primay branches/plant, CO-3 was a good general combiner for number of flower clusters/plant, number of flowers/cluster and number of fruits/plant, H-86 was a good general combiner for number of fruits/cluster, Fla 7171 was a good general combiner for fruit length, fruit width and fruit weight. Based on sca effects best specific combiner for plant height and fruit yield was Punjab Upma × Azad T-5. The ratio of σ2gca/σ2sca is less than unity for all characters except fruit shape index which also indicated the preponderance of non additive genetic variance. High heritability (&gt;60%) combined with high genetic advance (&gt;20%) was observed for fruit yield, number of primary branches/plant, plant height, number of flower clusters/plant, number of flowers/cluster, fruit weight, number of fruits/cluster, number of fruits/plant. These traits can be improved by simple selection in tomato breeding programme. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that best general combiners for various yield and yield related traits were Pant T-3, Kashi Amrit, CO-3, H-86 and Fla 7171. Based on sca best specific combiner for plant height and fruit yield was Punjab Upma × Azad T-5