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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively.
Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively.
On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs.
In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc.
During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Isolation of the bioactive pinciples of thevetia nerlifolia juss.(Apocynaceae) and determination of their biological activities(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Hebsi, Bai; KAU; George, KoshyFresh and dried leaves and seeds of Thevetia neriifolia were evaluated for their antifeedant activity against Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, using acetone, benzene, ethanol, hexane, methanol and water as extractants. Based on the percentage of leaf protection, seed extracts were superior to the leaf extracts. Fresh leaf and dried leaf extracts were on par. Among the solvents, ethanol and methanol gave maximum leaf protection closely followed by water. Based on larval starvation, seed extracts were superior to leaf extracts and fresh leaf extracts were significantly better than dried leaf extracts. Water, methanol and ethanol were on par for extracting plant tissues. Soaking of powered plant material well in solvents for 48 hours and filteration was found as effective as soxhlet method for extracting antifeedant components from leaves and seeds of T. neriifolia. Leaves and seeds of the plant showed conspicuous hormonal/sterilant activity on Dysdercus cingulatus and the response was dose dependent. This was evident in post treatment larval mortality, prolonged preovipositional period, emergence of malformed adults and reduced fecundity. Adult longevity, incubation period and hatching percentage of eggs were not affected. Forty per cent and ten per cent of leaf and seed extracts as well as 20 and 5 per cent extracts of the same came on par in juvenomimetic effect. The results showed that seeds were four times more effective than the leaves in their juvenomimetic effect on D. cingulatus. The length of ovary, number of oocytes per ovariole and size of basal, penultimate and antepenultimate oocytes were significantly lower in seed and leaf extract treated females of D. cingulatus. Closer examination of the data revealed that growth of ovary was delayed rather than suppressed by the plant extracts. Levels of protein, glycogen and lipid contents observed on ovary, fat body and haemolymph of treated and untreated insects from first to fifth day after emergence indicated a delay in vitellogenesis and oocyte development in treated insects. Consequently previposition period was prolonged. The effect observed is similar to the effect of chemosterilants reported on some insects earlier. Results indicated that reduction in fecundity of D. cingulatus may be due to the chemosterilant action of T. neriifolia extracts. Bioassay studies in the laboratory revealed the low contact toxicity of leaf and seed extracts of T. neriifolia to S. litura and H. vigintioctopunctata. Chromatographic isolation of different fractions of ethanol extracts of fresh leaf and seed yielded six bioactive fractions from the leaf and four from the seed. Fractions III and IV were absent in seeds. Fractions IV, V and VI obtained from leaves and V and VI from seeds had far higher activity than the remaining fractions and they were on par in their antifeedant effect and larval starvation on H. vigintioctopunctata. Available active fractions were more concentrated in seeds than in leaves. Laboratory studies showed the safety of leaf and seed extracts of T. neriifolia at field doses to Chrysocharis johnsoni, the most important parasite of H. vigintioctopunctata in Kerala. Toxicological studies in albino mice and rats revealed that 400 mg/kg body weight was the LD50 dose of seed extract of T.neriifolia while doses upto 1000mg/kg body weight of leaf extract was not toxic to the animals. Haematological picture of animals chronically exposed to the extracts showed marginal deviations in the haemoglobin content, RBC count, serum cholesterol, SGOT levels in seed extract treated animals from the permissible safe range. Leaf extract treatment caused deviations in SGOT and serum cholesterol. Vacuolation, cytoplasmic acidophilia and degenerative changes in the liver and heart tissues and inflammation of kidney were observed in animals treated with seed extract. Adverse effects of leaf extract were negligible. Replicated field experiments were conducted for two seasons on bittergourd and amaranthus to evaluate the efficacy of crude extracts of T. neriifolia in controlling their major pests. All the extracts viz., ethanol and water extracts of dried and fresh leaves and seed reduced the pest population and the extent of leaf damage. Seed extract was on par with the insecticide check, carbary 1 (0.15 per cent) in bittergourd and malathion (0.1 per cent) in amaranthus. Fresh leaf extract was on par with the seed extract and was superior to extracts of dried leaf in reducing pest population and increasing yield of both the crops. Water extracts of leaves and seed were found equally good for checking the pest population and increasing yield. On cost benefit basis water extracts were found more advantageous to the farmer. Parasitization of egg masses, grubs and pupae in treated plots were on par with control while they were totally missing in the insecticide treated plots. Extracts of T.neriifolia were thus found to be safe to the non – target organisms too. An overall assessment of the results obtained revealed that water extracts of fresh leaf and seed in appropriate doses can be effectively and safely used for the control of important pests of bittergourd and amaranthus without any health hazards and adverse effect on the non target organisms in the agroecosystem. T. neriifolia can be considered as a plant suited for developing effective plant protection chemicals for replacing undersirable synthetic insecticides, especially in integrated pest control calendar.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of neem triterpenes as ovipositional and feeding deterrents to the tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Sign. on cashew(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1995) Angaiah, K; KAU; Sitarama Rao, DExperiments were conducted at the Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to ascertain the feasibility of utilizing the commercially available neem products for the management of populations of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Sign. On cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. The effects of three neem products in altering the ovipositional behaviour and the feeding behaviour of H. antonii through contact and translaminar effects and the number of feeding punctures as affected by the contact and translaminar effects, were tested in comparison with NKS. Radio labelling of cashew seedlings prior to application of treatments and quantification of feeding based on the quantum of radio activity in the bodies of test insects fed on the treated seedlings was developed as a new technique. The study resulted in the following findings. 1. Godrej Achook at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses and Rakshak at all the tested doses significantly reduced the number of egg laying sites. 2. Duration of egg laying was significantly reduced by Godrej Achook and Rakshak at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses. 3. Significant reduction in the total number of eggs laid was brought about by Rakshak 1.6 per cent and Godrej Achook at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses. 4. Rakshak at all doses and Godrej Achhok at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses significantly reduced the nymphal duration. The nymphs failed to reach adult hood. 5. Feeding deterrency through contact action was exhibited by the treatments. Nimbecidine and Godrej Achook at higher doses were better. 6. The number of feeding punctures was influenced by the treatments through translaminar effects. 7. Development of feeding punctures was affected by the treatments through contact action also. Higher doses of Godrej Achook and Nimbecidine were better than the other treatments. In conclusion it can be stated that the commercially available neem products showed a high degree of effectiveness in reducing the feeding and oviposition by H. antonii, eventhough the neem tree is an alternate host of the tea mosquito bug. The neem products can be included as candidates for the management of population of H. antonii on cashew.ThesisItem Open Access Bionomics of pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata rego barros (lepidoptera:arctiidae) and its interaction with the siam weed chromolaena odorata king and robinson (asteraceae)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Lyla, K R; KAU; Abraham, C CStudies were undertaken on the biology, morphometrics, feeding habits, factors affecting fecundity and fertility of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata King and Robinson (Arctiidae : Lepidoptera) and also the plant response of the weed host Chromolaena odorata L. at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1990 – 1993. The morphometrics and morphology of the various immature stages and adults have been described. The total life-cycle of P. pseudoinsulata took a total of 46.75 days and the various developmental stages lasted for 5.5 days in eggs, 21.30 days for larvae (seven instars) 1.5 days for pre-pupa and 10.15 days for pupae at a mean ambient temperature of 28.40 C. In feeding trials to assess the relative preference of tender, mature, semi yellow and yellow leaves of C. odorata, it was found that the I instar larvae showed district preference to tender leaves as compared to mature leaves. The I and II instar larvae did not feed on semi-yellow and yellow leaves and they died of starvation when these types of leaves were offered for feeding. Consumption indices decreased as the age of larvae advanced and thus early instars consuming all the types of leaves recorded high indices. The rate of increase in larval weight gain was higher in later instars (VI and VII). Caterpillars feeding on mature, semi-yellow and yellow leaves showed higher Relative Growth Rate during IV to V stage, but during I to II stage, a high RGR was seen on larvae which fed tender leaves. Yellow. leaf diet for late instar larvae adversely affected their development and adult emergence. Highest fecundity was recorded when the parental sex-ratio of moths was kept at 1:1 level followed by 1:2 ratio and 2:1 in that order. Egg production and viability were significantly higher at 250 C and 75 per cent RH as compared to 300 C and 60 per cent RH. Adult food did not show any influence on fecundity but in respect of improvement of egg viability the treatments were advantageous. Total nitrogen content in leaves was maximum on the sixth day of release of four larvae per cage. Leaf nitrogen showed a declining trend when the larval load per plant was increased from the eighth day of release onwards. Soluble nitrogen content in leaves showed an increasing trend with increase in larval load per plant, but this however failed to reach significant levels. Chlorophyll content in leaves got reduced significantly at increased larval population loads and with passage of time of confinement. The natural enemies of P. pseudoinsulata consisted of avian fauna, spiders and ants and parasitoids. Predatory species of ants recorded in association with the insect included Lioponera sp. Oecophylla smaragdina Fabr. Solenopsis sp.and Monomorium sp. Occasionally NPV infection occurred in the laboratory as well as in field cultures causing substantial mortality. The implications of the various findings in reorienting the biocontrol strategies involving P. pseudoinsulata against C. odorata have been discussed.ThesisItem Open Access Screening medicinal plants for antihelminthic properties against different life stages of banana burrowing nematode radopholus similis [Cobb,1893] thorne 1949(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Sreeja, P; KAU; Job Sathyakumar, CharlesExperiments were conducted at the department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to screen medicinal plants for antihelminthic properties against the infective stages of banana burrowing nematode R. similis. The effect of aqueous extract of different parts of 20 medicinal plants were treated at four dilutions and three exposure times. Nematicidal and nematostatic properties of these extracts were studied using the nematode culture developed on carrot callus. The study resulted in the following findings. 1. Extracts of A. indica and G. pentaphylla were highly nematicidal to infective stages of the nematode at all the tested doses. K. pinnata was significantly effective at all the tested doses except 1:40. P. longum resulted in significant mortality at all the tested doses against larval stages whereas only 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions were effective against adult stages. Besides nematicidal effect 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions of G. pentaphylla and K. pinnata exhibited nematostatic effects. 2. Leaf extract of M. oleifera and M. piperita at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions showed significant nematostatic effects against both larvae and adults. P. betle extract was equally effective at the three dilutions. 3. Leaf extracts of C. angustifolia, A. squamosa and L. inermis were not effective at all tested doses. 4. Fruit extract of M. azedarach was nematicidal at all the tested dilutions of 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:40. But extract of C. papaya was ineffective. 5. Seed extract of C. viscosa expressed nematostatic property at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions against adult stages, but it was ineffective against larval stages. Treatment with seed extract of E. scandens was ineffective. 6. Rhizome extract of C. rotundus was equally effective against infective stages in causing mortality at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions. Besides nematicidal effects, the extract exhibited significant nematostatic effect. A. calamus extract was nematostatic at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions. 7. Root extract of I. tinctoria was nematostatic at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against both larvae and adults. In addition to immobility, it resulted in the death of adult nematodes at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions. Extract of S. indicum showed significant nematostatic effect at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against larval stages. But it was effective only at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions against adult stages. 8. Plant extract of E. hirta expressed nematicidal property at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against larval stages, but the same was effective only at the two lower dilutions against adult stagesThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of the active principles of the rhizome extracts of L. for the management of melon fly(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Shakunthala, Nair; KAU; Jim, ThomasThe melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae : Diptera) is one of the highly destructive pest species attacking cucurbits. The larvae hatching from eggs deposited within the fruits, tunnel and feed on the internal contents. As a result of this, the fruits are severely damaged, rot and fall to the ground, where pupation takes place. As the recommended management practices against the melon fly are still proving inadequate, there is a need to devise newer and safer means to solve this problem. The latest trend in pest control is the use of natural products derived from plant and animal sources. Among the various plants tested, Acorus calamus L., is gaining importance owing to its insecticidal and insectistatic properties. The present study was carried out at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1993-94, with the objective of evaluating the extracts of A. calamus for the management of the melon fly, B. cucurbitae. The experiments were conducted in order to assess effects like repellency, feeding deterrency, oviposition deterrency, ovicidal action, topical contact toxicity to larvae, pupae and adults and chemosterilant action. Water and organic solvents were used to prepare the A. calamus extracts. Among the organic solvents tested, methanol was selected, owing it’s the better effect. Melon flies (B. cucurbitae ) reared in the laboratory were used for all the tests, and the following results were obtained. The repellent and feeding deterrent effects of the extracts was proved by reduced alightment of flies on the treated substrates. The aqueous extracts were effective at 5%, while the methanol extract at 0.1% was highly repellent., proving the superiority of the methanol extract. In the oviposition deterrency test, the number of ovipunctures as well as the fecundity realization, showed a decreasing trend with the increase in concentration of the extracts. The methanol extract was found to be superior to the aqueous extract in deterring oviposition also, as it was effective at 0.25 %, while in case of the aqueous extract a significant effect was produced only at a concentration of 5 %. Toxicity tests were conducted on all life stages of the melon fly. The eggs were not affected by the aqueous extract upto 10%, but there was 100% egg mortality (inhibition of hatching) when 0.1% methanol extract was used. The LC50 of methanol extracts to the eggs was found to be 0.03%. Both the aqueous extract and the methanol extract were found to be ineffective in causing mortality to larvae and pupae, upto 10%. In the case of adult flies, there was no mortality upto 10% of the aqueous extract by topical application or residue film technique. Topical application with methanol extract could not be followed, as the solvent itself caused 100% mortality. However by residual film application, it was possible to obtain a range of mortalities, and the LC50 of methanol extract to adult flies was found to be 0.07%. The methanol extracts were found to inhibit mating completely, in adult flies fed with the extracts at 0.1 to 0.01 % from the day of emergence. The average survival period of these flies was also significantly lower, because of which, fecundity realization was not see. The sizes of reproductive organs in the treated flies were found to be considerably reduced, probably due to regression or oosorption in the ovaries, or general atrophy of the organs, caused by the feeding of the extracts. This damage to the reproductive organs might have caused a hormonal imbalance, which resulted in the mating being inhibitedThesisItem Open Access Distribution and bio-ecology of phytophagous mites of vegetables,medicinal plants and ornamentals in Thiruvananthapuram District(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Sudharma, K; KAU; Madhavan Nair, GA detailed survey on phytophagous mites and their predators associated with vegetables, medicinal plants and ornamentals was conducted for the first time in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala during premonsoon, monsoon seasons of 1992 and 1993. The centres selected for the survey were the college of Agriculture, Vellayani; Ayurvedic research Centre, poojappura; University Centre, Kariavattom; Tropical Botanical Garden and Reserch Institute, Palode and the District Agricultural Farm, Peringammala. The survey revealed the presence of phytophagous and predatory mites belonging to six families each. The families under the former group were Tetranychidae, tarsonemidae, Tenuipalpidae, Eriophyidae, Galumnidae and Oribatidae and under the latter group were phytoseiidae, Ascidae, Bdellidae, Cheyelitidae Cunaxidae and Stigmaeidae. Phytophagous mites belonging to the families Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Tarsonemidae were the most widespread and the dominant species of these families were commonly found on all the three groups of plants. The survey further helped to identify eighteen new host plants of phytophagous mites which are new reports. The phytophagous mites T.cinnabarinus, T.ludeni, T.neocaledonicus , B.phoenicis,T.pacificus R. indica, P. latus and a few species under the genera tetranychus, Brevipalpus and Tarsonemous were the important species infesting vegetables, medicinal plants and ornamentals in the District. Among the acarine predators of phytophagous mites , the species belonging to the family phytoseiidae in general and in the family phytoseiidae, species of the genus Amblyseius in particular were the most widespread .The mites belonging to the family Cunaxidae and the coccinellidae, Stethorus sp . were also found to be important predators of phytophagous mites. The mean percentage of mite infested leaves and the mean population counts were also assessed to study the distribution and abundance of different groups of mites on different host plants in different seasons. The species, T.ludeni, T cinnabarinus, T neocaledonicus and P.latus on vegetables, T.ludeni and B.phoenicies on ornamentals and B.phoenicis, T.cinnabarinus, T.ludeni, T.neocaledonicus and P.latus on medicinal plants were found to be numerically dominant species capable of causing serious damage to the crops. The mean percentage of mite infested leaves and the mean population counts of phytophagous mites were the least in the monsoon season as compared to the premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons in vegetables, medicinal plants and ornamentals. The mean population counts of predators in different seasons also showed trends similar to those of phytobhagous mites, the monsoon season having the least or no predatory populations. In the postmonsoon season also their numbers were negligible. The phytoseiids were numerically the most dominant predators on vegetables, ornamentals and medicinal plants. The coccinellid predator, Stethorus and acarine predator cunaxids were also found to be important to a lesser extent. The results of replicated field trials conducted in the College of Agriculture, vellayani on selected vegetables, medicinal plants and ornamentals also revealed that, in general, the mite population was the least in the monsoon season as compared to the premonsoon and postmonsoon season. In general, the population development was found to be positively correlated with maximum temperature and relative humidity. The nature and symptoms of damage of T.cinnabarinus on Adhatoda ;T.ludeni and T.neocaledonicus on rosea; T.pacificus on Dendrobium; R.indica on T.alata; B.phoenicis on the medicinal plants G.sylestre,S.ciliates O.sanctum, and on Caladium, Maranta and Dendrobium and P.latus on chilli, bittergourd , ridegorud and T. erecta were studied and described in detail. The biology and biometrics of T. cinnabarinus, T.ludeni, T neocaledonicus, T.pacificus and B.phoenicis were studied on selected host plants and described in detail. Crop loss studies conducted on bhindi and chilli by releasing different population levels of T.ludeni and P.latus revealed that , the stage of the crop at which infestation commenced was an important factor which determind the crop loss. It was also found that there was crop to crop variation on the levels of tolerance to different mite loads. No significant difference was noticed in the distribution of T.ludeni on the top, middle and bottom strata of bhindi plants while in chillies the mite P.latus preferred the top stratum indicating a preference for young growing tissues for feeding and oviposition.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of mulberry silkworm races and hybrids in Kerala(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) George Thomas; KAU; Dale, DSilkworm rearing experiment was conducted in the rearing house of the sericulture section in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani in 93 – 94 to identify a pure race and crose breed suitable for rearing in the southern districts of Kerala, with reference of productivity and commercial quality of cocoons. The trial was conducted with completely randomized design and the treatments were replicated thrice. Four replications were used for studying the fecundities and female pupal weight of pure races. The experiment was repeated in three seasons viz. cold season during December – January, summer season February – March and rainy season during May – June. The percentage of missing larvae during early instars was least in the cross breeds which were on par and pure races suffered heavy loss. Cross breed PM X NB 4 D2 was superior to others in case of total larval duration disease incidence, percentage of spinning and cocoons yield. Among the bivoltines NB4 D2 performed best with shortest larval period, less disease incidence, higher percentage of spinning and higher cocoon yield. It was superior to other bivoltines during most seasons. It consumed maximum food had highest growth index and larval weight in all seasons. Cocoon characters viz. shell weight, shell ratio, cocoon size and reelability of cocoons were also higher. Single cocoon weight, fecundity and female pupal weight were higher in KA. NB7 was heavily infected with diseases in stock rearing it self. Of the cross breeds, PM x NB4D2 was superior to other cross breeds in respect of all parameters during the different seasons except in single cocoon weight. In this case PM x KA performed well. Leaf consumption, weight, length and growth index of fifth instar larva, percentage of spinning and yield of cocoons, size of cocoons, single cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, fecundity and female pupal weight were reduced in summer season. But disease incidence was increased and missing percentage of larvae during early instars, total larval duration, and reelability were not affected by climate.ThesisItem Open Access Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc as a biocontrol agent for the pea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Sunitha, V S; KAU; Susamma MathaiDetailed investigations were made on the entomogenous fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum (cooke) Sacc infecting cowpea aphid Aphis cracclvora koch. Field studies showed that spore suspension and wettable powder formulations were equally effective in controlling the pea aphid. 7 x 106 spores per ml suspension in water or a similar suspension of a wettable powder or quinalphos 0.05 per cent were found to be equally effective in controlling the aphids under field conditions. Spore suspension containing 3.5 x 106 spores per ml have shown similar results during the later half of the experimental period. Pot culture studies conducted to assess the influence of host plants of aphid on the efficacy of the pathogen revealed that there was no influence of host plant on the pathogenecity of F. pallidoroseum. The germination and viability of F. pallidoroseum in formulation was found to decrease with increase in storage period and the formulations retained its capacity for germination and viability for more than ten months under refrigeration. The fungus was found nonpathogenic to vegetables viz. as bhindi, brinjal, amaranths, tomato, chillies, snakegourd, bittergourd and medicinal plants, viz., adathoda, ocimum and notchi under field conditions. Besides it was found safe to natural enemies of aphids viz., Coccinella septumpunctata, Menochilus sexmaculata and Scymnus sp. The productive insects, honey bees and silkworms were not at all affected by this fungus. Cross inoculation studies using this pathogen showed that three species of aphids, viz., Toxoptera aurantii, Aphis gossypii and Aphis malvae were not infected. A strain of F. Pallidoroseum isolated from a weed plant water hyacinth(Eichhornia crassipes) was found to be non pathogenic to the aphid Aphis Crassivora. Similarly F. Pallidoroseum was observed non pathogenic to water hyacinth. These observations indicated that the above two strains of F. Pallidorosem are entirely different.ThesisItem Open Access Die- back in cashew incited by the tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret as influenced by wound pathogens and plant biochemicals(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Bindu, N; KAU; Pathummal Beevi, SExperiments were conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara and in the cashew fields at Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, to ascertain the intensity of shoot die-back symptoms in cashew incited by the TMB bug, Helopeltis antonii in association with the wound pathogens; to evaluate the selected plant products for their feeding detterrency to TMB; to study the variations in the major biochemical factors such as starch, sugars, phenol and OD phenol in the five susceptible and five less susceptible cashew types and the changes in these biochemical factors due to TMB feeding. The predominantly occurring fungus isolated from the necrotic lesions of the TMB affected shoots, panicles and nuts was Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The involvement of the fungus in the die-back symptom development calls for appropriate modifications in the crop protection strategies particularly for younger cashew plantations. The necessary strategic shifts have been discussed. The role of this fungus in aggravating the seedling die-back when inoculated on the grafts infested by TMB has been established. Emulsions of neem and pongamia oil at 2 per cent and 5 per cent spray caused mortality of adult bug after 12 h of exposure. Significant variations in the biochemical constituents viz., starch, sugar, phenol and OD phenol content were detected in all the ten cashew accessions. Comparatively low starch content was noticed in most of the susceptible cashew types and high in the less susceptible type. The starch content increased during the 6 h followed by significant decrease during 12 and 24 h of infestation by TMB. Low sugar content was found in the less susceptible accessions. The sugar content showed significant decrease during 6,12 and 24 h of infestation by TMB. The phenol and OD phenol contents were lower in the susceptible cashew accessions than the less susceptible accessions. The phenol content showed an increasing trend at 6 h followed by a decrease during 12 h and again an increase during 24 h of infestation by TMB. The varietal variations and the time interval after the TMB infestation seemed to influence the rate of biochemical reaction rather than any specific biochemical changes induced by the interaction of varieties and TMB feeding.