Development and Evaluation of IPM Modules for the Management of Guava Fruit Fly

Field studies were carried out during kharif 2016 and summer 2017 at Udyanagiri, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India to evaluate IPM modules against fruit fly in an already established guava orchard of variety Sardar (L-49). Among four modules, the mean fruit damage was significantly the lowest in M3 (0.68%) followed by M2 (1.19%) and M1 (2.21%) and were on par with each other during kharif 2016. During summer 2017, M3 recorded significantly lowest damage (0.59%) followed by M2 (0.92%) and M1 (2.41%) but were on with each other. The highest per cent protection was afforded by M3 (95.76 and 96.76, respectively) during 2016 and 2017.  The average fruit yield over the years of experimentation revealed significantly the highest fruit yield (8.13 t/ha) from M3 followed by M2 (7.32 t/ha) and M1 (5.31 t/ha). Among the four modules, highest B:C was from M3 (7.65) followed by M2 (6.67) and M1 (4.91).

Bio-efficacy of proton, a plant product against fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chilli

Abstract: An experiment was laid out during kharif 2006-07 and 2007-08 to test the bio-efficacy of a new herbal pesticide, proton obtained from Universal Crop Science Ltd, Mumbai. Proton @ 1.50 ml/l recorded significantly lower Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) larval population during 2006 and 2007 (0.77 and 0.62 larva/plant, respectively) which was on par with proton @ 2.0 ml/l and standard check spinosad 45 SC @ 0.12 ml/l. Similarly, Proton @ 2.00 ml/l recorded significantly lowest fruit damage (6.80%) which was at par with Proton @ 1.50 ml/l (7.22%) during 2006. Proton @ 1.50 ml/l recorded higher green chilli yield (34.38 and 31.68 q/ha during 2006 and 2007, respectively) which was on par with Proton @ 2.00 ml/ and standard check spinosad 45 SC @ 0.12 ml/l (34.92 and 30.28 q/ha during 2006 and 2007, respectively). Proton @ 1.50 ml/l recorded higher net profit of Rs. 36,962/ha and B:C ratio of 3.32, which is next best to spinosad 45 SC @ 0.12 ml/l but superior to nimbecidine 1500 ppm @ 3 ml/l

Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation for Green Ammonia: Recent Progress and Challenges

Abstract Ammonia, a key feedstock used in various industries, has been considered a sustainable fuel and energy storage option. However, NH3 production via the conventional Haber–Bosch process is costly, energy‐intensive, and significantly contributing to a massive carbon footprint. An electrochemical synthetic pathway for nitrogen fixation has recently gained considerable attention as NH3 can be produced through a green process without generating harmful pollutants. This review discusses the recent progress and challenges associated with the two relevant electrochemical pathways: direct and indirect nitrogen reduction reactions. The detailed mechanisms of these reactions and highlight the recent efforts to improve the catalytic performances are discussed. Finally, various promising research strategies and remaining tasks are presented to highlight future opportunities in the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction

Screening of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentum (L.) Moench] Genotypes for Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) Resistance Under Natural Diseases Pressure Condition

Sixty genotypes of okra along with pusa sawani as susceptible check were screened for YVMV resistance under field conditions. Per cent disease incidence and coefficient of infection were calculated for all the genotypes. Per cent disease incidence ranged from 10.0 to 100.0, where as coefficient of infection varies from 5.0 to 100.0. Out of 60 genotypes screened, seven genotypes were resistant (MHO -10, MHO -24, MHO -30, KRCO -3, KRCO -10, KRCO -15 and KRCO-28). Fifteen genotypes were moderately resistant(MHO-1, MHO-4 , MHO-6, MHO -13, MHO -14, MHO-16, MHO -21, MHO -27, KRCO-13, KRCO -16, KRCO -18, KRCO -19, KRCO-21, KRCO-23, KRCO-30) and sixteen genotypes were moderately susceptible(MHO -12, MHO -18, MHO -20, MHO -22, MHO -26, MHO -29, KRCO-1, KRCO -4, KRCO -5, KRCO -7, KRCO -8, KRCO -9, KRCO -20, KRCO-22, KRCO-27, KRCO-29).Thirteen genotypes were found to be susceptible (MHO-2, MHO-3 , MHO -6 , MHO -7, MHO -8, MHO -9, MHO -11, MHO -15 , MHO -22 ,MHO -25 ,KRCO -12 , KRCO -14 , KRCO-24 , KRCO-26) and nine were highly susceptible (MHO -5, MHO -17, MHO -19, MHO -28, KRCO -2, KRCO -6 , KRCO -11, KRCO -17, KRCO-25) .Resistant genotypes identified in the present study can be utilized further YVMV resistance breeding programme

Colonization and endophytic effect of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. UHSB-END1 against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Plutella xylostella (L.) in cabbage

Abstract Background Fungal microbial biocontrol agent playing an important role in sustainable pest management with low cost. Conidial contact with cuticle is sufficient to cause disease in insects by entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) compared to bacteria and viruses which required ingestion of contaminated food. The field level application of fungi resulted inconsistent in their efficacy against insects as they withstand in the agroecosystem with adverse environmental conditions. To overcome this bottleneck, endophytic EPF, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales), is well-studied for the management of insects of cultivated crops and got promising results. The colonization of endophytic isolates varied from one host plant to another and virulence against insects too. Hence, the study was undertaken to know the colonization of indigenous B. bassiana UHSB-END1 isolate in cabbage plant and its efficacy against major insects of cabbage. Results The indigenous isolate of B. bassiana UHSB-END1 was able to colonize cabbage in all the methods of inoculations (seed treatment, seedling root dip, soil drenching, foliar spray and combination treatment) at 30, 45 and 60 days of post-inoculation (dpi). However, the colonization of the fungus inside the cabbage was restricted to tissues of inoculation, and movement from the site of inoculation to other parts of the plant was poor. In the present study, colonization was the highest at 30 dpi in all methods of colonization with restricted colonization to the site of exposure of fungus. Further, in vivo and in planta assay confirmed the effectiveness of B. bassiana UHSB-END1 colonized cabbage against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus). Under in vivo conditions the maximum mortality of M. persicae and P. xylostella was recorded at 30 dpi. It was decreased slightly at 45 dpi, and the lowest morality was recorded at 60 dpi. In planta experiment also proved better efficacy against both the test insects. Wherein mortality of M. persicae ranged from 22 to 36% five days after release (DAR), it was increased to 48–68% at 10 DAR and reached highest mortality rate at 15DAR (72–96%). Similarly, mortality of P. xylostella ranged from 14 to 24% after five DAR, and it was 27–44% at 10 DAR, and maximum mortality rate of larvae were recorded at 15 DAR (64–96%). Conclusion The present study reported 100% colonization of cabbage plant by indigenous B. bassiana UHSB-END1 at 30 dpi in combination of treatment and showed a maximum efficacy in managing the population of major insects of cabbage. Introducing this indigenous isolate will pave a ray of hope in managing the both key insects (P. xylostella and M. persicae) in cabbage agroecosystem without disturbing the environment and further helps in production of cabbage with minimum pesticide residue for consumers

Phosphorene, antimonene, silicene and siloxene based novel 2D electrode materials for supercapacitors-A brief review

In the past decade, 2D materials such as graphitic carbon nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, layered metal oxides and hydroxides, hexagonal boron nitride and MXenes have garnered a great attention with the discovery of graphene. Very recently, novel 2D materials analogous to graphene such as phosphorene, antimonene, silicene, siloxene, germanene etc., were discovered and are emerging as strong competitors to the existing 2D materials. These materials pose explicit properties making them suitable for various applications. This article reviews the properties, synthesis techniques and the supercapacitive nature of phosphorene, antimonene, silicene and siloxene while briefing the properties of other 2D materials viz. germanene, stanene, arsenene and bismuthene. With the successful implementation of phosphorene as supercapacitor electrode, research is progressing in exploring the supercapacitive nature of other novel 2D materials. The investigations on these materials are still in its infancy and most of the properties lack experimental evidence. The current research trends on these novel materials are discussed in this review