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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 Major spiders in vegetable ecosystem and their predatory potential(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Manu Mani, P; KAU; Hebsi BaiSpider faunistic survey conducted in okra, brinjal, cowpea, bittergourd and amaranthus fields in Kalliyoor panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district during the summer of 2004, revealed the prevalence of high density and diversity of spiders in the vegetable ecosystem. Hunting spiders were dominant in all the vegetable plots. Thirty species of spiders distributed in nine families were recorded with the number of species in each vegetable field ranging from 10 to17. Among the thirty species, 16 species were commonly seen in the different vegetable fields while 14 species were seen exclusively associated with a particular vegetable. Araneidae with ten species was the most represented family in the vegetable fields followed by Oxyopidae and Salticidae. The other families observed were Miturgidae, Thomisidae, Tetragnathidae, Corinnidae, Lycosidae and Clubionidae. Most of the spiders appeared during the vegetative and flowering stages of the crop. Few spiders were recorded in the early stage of the crops. Four spiders viz., O. javanus, C. danieli, N. mukerjei and T. mandibulata were dominant in all the vegetable plots among which O. javanus and C. danieli predominated. Studies on the seasonal influence showed no significant difference in the abundance of the spiders during summer and rainy seasons. Rather, the growth stages of the crops significantly influenced the build up of the spider population with higher population being observed during the reproductive phase. In general, the spiders preferred soft bodied insects like the hemipterans, lepidopterans, dipterans and coleopterans (eggs and grubs) for predation. While the spiders did not show any significant preference for the different hemipteran prey in a mixed diet, significant difference was shown for the different lepidopteran pests. O. javanus had the maximum preference for the lepidopteran pests Chemical insecticides were more toxic to the spiders than botanicals when tested at their recommended doses. Among the chemical insecticides, dimethoate 0.05 per cent, carbaryl 0.2 per cent and malathion 0.1 per cent were highly toxic. Even at different doses the insecticides were toxic to the spiders. Quinalphos 0.05 per cent and imidacloprid were less toxic. Between the two methods of application, topical application of insecticides was more detrimental to the spiders than release on treated plants. Among the spiders, T. mandibulata was more susceptible to the insecticides followed by C. danieli. O. javanus and N. mukerjei were less sensitive. While the fungal pathogens, M. anisopliae, P. lilacinus and Bt were safe to the spiders. F. pallidoroseum, Fusarium sp. and B. bassiana were pathogenic. Based on the results of the study, conservation of the spiders characteristic of the vegetable ecosystem would be a practical and ecologically and economically viable approach for pest suppression in vegetables. When there is a spurt in pest ravage, the protection afforded by the predator could be supplemented with judicious use of “spider friendly” insecticides.ThesisItem Open Access Major spiders in vegetable ecosystem and their predatory potential(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Manu Mani, P; KAU; Hebsi, BaiSpider faunistic survey conducted in okra, brinjal, cowpea, bittergourd and amaranthus fields in Kalliyoor panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district during the summer of 2004, revealed the prevalence of high density and diversity of spiders in the vegetable ecosystem. Hunting spiders were dominant in all the vegetable plots. Thirty species of spiders distributed in nine families were recorded with the number of species in each vegetable field ranging from 10 to17. Among the thirty species, 16 species were commonly seen in the different vegetable fields while 14 species were seen exclusively associated with a particular vegetable. Araneidae with ten species was the most represented family in the vegetable fields followed by Oxyopidae and Salticidae. The other families observed were Miturgidae, Thomisidae, Tetragnathidae, Corinnidae, Lycosidae and Clubionidae. Most of the spiders appeared during the vegetative and flowering stages of the crop. Few spiders were recorded in the early stage of the crops. Four spiders viz., O. javanus, C. danieli, N. mukerjei and T. mandibulata were dominant in all the vegetable plots among which O. javanus and C. danieli predominated. Studies on the seasonal influence showed no significant difference in the abundance of the spiders during summer and rainy seasons. Rather, the growth stages of the crops significantly influenced the build up of the spider population with higher population being observed during the reproductive phase. In general, the spiders preferred soft bodied insects like the hemipterans, lepidopterans, dipterans and coleopterans (eggs and grubs) for predation. While the spiders did not show any significant preference for the different hemipteran prey in a mixed diet, significant difference was shown for the different lepidopteran pests. O. javanus had the maximum preference for the lepidopteran pests Chemical insecticides were more toxic to the spiders than botanicals when tested at their recommended doses. Among the chemical insecticides, dimethoate 0.05 per cent, carbaryl 0.2 per cent and malathion 0.1 per cent were highly toxic. Even at different doses the insecticides were toxic to the spiders. Quinalphos 0.05 per cent and imidacloprid were less toxic. Between the two methods of application, topical application of insecticides was more detrimental to the spiders than release on treated plants. Among the spiders, T. mandibulata was more susceptible to the insecticides followed by C. danieli. O. javanus and N. mukerjei were less sensitive. While the fungal pathogens, M. anisopliae, P. lilacinus and Bt were safe to the spiders. F. pallidoroseum, Fusarium sp. and B. bassiana were pathogenic. Based on the results of the study, conservation of the spiders characteristic of the vegetable ecosystem would be a practical and ecologically and economically viable approach for pest suppression in vegetables. When there is a spurt in pest ravage, the protection afforded by the predator could be supplemented with judicious use of “spider friendly” insecticides.ThesisItem Open Access Insect Pests of Selected Medicinal Plants : Bionomics and Management(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2003) Rajan V P; Sheela M KThe availability of Medicinal plants is mainly from the natural resources like forests and .waste lands. Today farmers of Kerala are taking up cultivation of medicinal plants in an organised manner. A thorough survey conducted in three different localities such as herbal gardens of College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thycaud Moos Arya Vydyasala, Chuvannamannu and Kottakkal Arya Vydyasala Kottakkal being listed had resulted in alarming informations. Survey was done just on ten economically important' medicinal plants, viz., Neelamari, Adapathiyan, Chethikoduveli, Thippali, Vallippala, Thulsi, Kacholam, Karalakom, Kasthurivenda and Madhunashini. Complete survey of selected ten medicinal plants indicated the presence of 57 different species of insect pests of which, 44 species are new reports, In Neelamari rate of infestation by psyllids was to a major level. Typical symptoms of 'die back' had been observed. The five minor species include webbers, flower beetles, treehoppers, pentatomids and alydids. The predatory coccinellids, ants and spiders associated with the psyllids were the other new reports. Spiders were observed to prey upon the coccinellids which inturn were psyllid predators. Occurrence of milkweed butterfly on adapathiyan was to a major level. Tachinid flies were found to parasitise the butterfly larvae. Chethikoduveli heavily infested by citraka looper was a major one. A microlepidopteran belonging to the family Cl Grassillaridae was found infesting on Thippali spikes. Spike thrips, thippali mealy bugs were the other minor pests. Vallippala semilooper, a key pest was ranked as a completely defoliating one. Its biology studied reveals that egg period to be three days, larval instars as first, second, third, fourth and fifth, prepupal and pupal duration of 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1, 6.4 ± 0.1956 days respectively. Total life cycle was found to, be 22.4 ± 0.1956 days. Tylophoran bug and Asclepidian beetle which were first reports. Glossy tiger in Vallippala was found on a major level. Lacewing bug were found to be major one in Tulasi. But there were numerous minor pests as Tulasi leaf webber, grasshopper, ash weevil, Pentatomid bugs and Coried bugs. Kacholam were infested Cl by Lema beetle, black hairy caterpillar and swarming caterpillar which were the minor ones. Karalakom butterfly were ranked as key pest. Its biology and management using botanical pesticides were studied. The egg, larval duration of first, second, third and fourth instars prepupal and pupal stages had a duration of8.2 ± 0.1405, 7.7 ± 0.1768, 7.8 ± 0.1749, 9, 7.9 ± 0.2422,1,14.8 ± 0.1749 days respectively. Total life cycle was found to be that 56.1 ± 0.5248 days. Flea beetles were found to make the leaf papery thin. In Kasthuri venda there were two major and 11 minor pests. The major ones were found to be the pests of okra too. Major ones are shoot and fruit borer and leaf roller. Defoliator in Madhunasini were parasitised by a Hymenopteran belonging to the family Braconidae. Moth bugs and three types of passive visitors observed were also new reports. As the influence of weather parameters on the distribution of key pests were studied, it was observed that with a rise in temperature there was a flare up on Vallippala semilooper and Karalakom butterfly population. With decrease in temperature the reduction in pest population was common for both the pests. When the relative humidity was taken into account, it was evident that decrease in Vallippala semilooper population was indirectly proportional to the relative humidity but it was directly proportional to the spread of Karalakom butterfly. When the influence of wind speed was taken into consideration it was found that wind speed had no direct influence on Vallippala semilooper distribution but with regard to Karalakom butterfly the spread was more with an increased wind speed. While studying the effects of total sunshine hours in a day on the pest spread, it was clear that there was an increase in Vallippala semilooper distribution and a reduction in Karalakom butterfly population with increased sunshine hours. The evaluation of botanical pesticides revealed a maximum antifeedancy with Neem Kernel Suspension (NKS) followed by neem leaf extracts. In the case of Vallippala semilooper hyptis ranked as the next best. While it was yellow oleander for Karalakom butterfly. These eco-friendly approaches are new records.ThesisItem Open Access Bio-ecology and management of perianth infesting mealy bugs dysmicoccus brevipes(Cockerell) and Pseudococcus Longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) on coconut(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Bindu Radhakrishnan; KAU; Premila, K SA study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani from January 2001 to December 2001 to study the biology, species composition and symptomatology of perianth infesting mealybugs, D. brevipes and P. longispinus infesting the coconut palm and to assess the yield losses caused by the pest and to evolve management measures. The biology of the two species was studied after reanng them on pumpkin fruits. The mean larval period and adult longevity of D. brevipes and P. longispinus when reared on pumpkin were 36 and 103.3 and 26 and 57 days respectively. The mean sex ratio of D. brevipes was 3.17 and of P. longispinus was 3.54. Pumpkin appeared to be a good host material for mass rearing PMBs. Studies on the yield loss assessment revealed an annual yield loss of Rs 139.20/ palm in the highly susceptible palms whereas in the medium and low susceptible palms the yield losses were Rs. 85.80/palm and Rs. 40.80/ palm respectively. When the influence of bunch age on the extent of damage by mealybugs was studied, highest mean per cent damage was observed in the fifth bunch followed by fourth and sixth bunches. Maximum population of PMBs were observed in the fifth nutlet. The mean population of D. brevipes was maximum during May (1.31) whereas the mean population of P. longispinus was maximum during March (1.13). Studies on the susceptibility of stage of bunch to mealybug damage indicated that the peak level of damage was in the fifth bunch. Consequently the maximum damage was observed in the month of June. Rainfall was observed to be the most important factor adversely affecting mealybug population. Development of symptoms as a consequence of feeding injury by PMBs include drying of nut without drying of calyx, stunting, deformities in the buttons such as development of cavities in place of embryo and gummy exudation. The mean population of other perianth infesting arthropods found associated with highly infested category of palms was low when compared to medium and low category palms. A positive relation between number of flowers per spikelet and susceptibility to mealybugs was observed. A study on the reaction of nutlets of WC'T variety to PMBs in terms of tepal colour revealed that orange and green coloured tepals were the most preferred by PMBs. Ant species C. nuda, T. albipis and A. longipes were seen closely associated with PMBs. Among the various pesticides evaluated against PMBs, triazophos (0.05) and profenofos (0.05) were found to be effective in controlling the pest.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of bait application technique for the management of fruit flies infesting cucurbits(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Vidya L; Jiji TA survey conducted in Kalliyoor and Nedinjil areas and Instructional farm, Vellayani for the assessment of pest incidence in the field revealed that among the five cucurbits viz., snakegourd, bittergourd, pumpkin, cucumber and coccinia, bittergourd had the maximum percentage incidence and coccinia the minimum. Two spiders viz., Oxyopes shweta and Oxyopes sp. and a larval pupal parasite of fruit flies viz., Opius sp. were observed in the field. From the infested fruits of these cucurbits the maximum number of flies emerged from snakegourd and the minimum from coccinia. B. cucurbitae was the only species that emerged from these infested fruits. The survey conducted in Kalliyoor and Nedinjil areas for documenting farmers’ practices showed that majority of the vegetable growing farmers cultivated cucurbits. The farmers were not following Package of Practices recommendations for spacing and fertilizer and pesticide dosages. All the farmers adopted the use of fruit fly traps, especially Palayankodan + carbofuran trap. In the screening experiment in the field, Rasakadali + jaggery + water + carbofuran, Palayankodan + boiled jaggery + water + carbofuran, Palayankodan + jaggery + water + carbofuran and Palayankodan + carbofuran were found to be significantly superior food baits with respect to total fly catch and duration of effective trap catch. In the cage experiment for selecting two superior baits out of the four baits selected from the field screening trial, Rasakadali + jaggery + water + carbofuran and Palayankodan + boiled jaggery + water + carbofuran were found significantly superior. Heating jaggery to 80oC increased the duration of effective trap catch and keeping quality of food baits. Plastic bottles of 350ml capacity provided with windows of size 6cm x 3cm was found to be the most efficient bait dispenser. In the field experiment for standardization of spacing Rasakadali + jaggery + water + carbofuran at 3.5m x 3.5m had the maximum fly catch, compared to all the other treatments. However there was no significant difference in fly catch when the same food bait was used at different spacing. The significantly lower percentage of incidence was noted when Rasakadali + jaggery + water + carbofuran was used at 2.5m x 2.5m and 3m x 3m and Palayankodan + boiled jaggery + water + carbofuran at 2.5m x 2.5m. The yield was maximum when Rasakadali + jaggery + water + carbofuran was used at 2.5m x 2.5m. The population of foliage pests in the snakegourd field was maximum during peak vegetative stage. The peak population of spiders did not coincide with peak fruit fly population. But the population of Opius sp increased with the population of fruit flies. In correlation with weather parameters it was found that female and total fruit fly population had significant negative correlation with morning relative humidity and number of rainy days. The results of the present study clearly revealed that by the adoption of improved Bait Application Technique profitable production of cucurbits without pesticide contamination is possible.ThesisItem Open Access Seasonal occurance and ecofriendly management of pests of amaranthus(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Asha, J S; KAU; Nandakumar, CSeasonal occurrence of pests, their natural enemies and leaf blight disease of amaranthus were studied in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from April 2004 to April 2005. Leaf webbers Psara basalis F. and Hymenia recurvalis (F.) were the major pests of amaranthus and leaf blight disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. was the major disease. The leaf webber P. basalis was present in the field throughout the year. However the highest population and infestation was observed during the summer months. Maximum population of larvae was observed during the month of April 2004. The population and extent of damage by the pest exhibited significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature. The leaf webber H. recurvalis was also present in the field throughout the year. The population and extent of damage by the pest was maximum during June, July and November 2004 and minimum during the summer months (April and May 2004). The population of the pest showed significant positive correlation with minimum temperature. The green grasshopper Atractomorpha crenulata F. was observed in the field throughout the year. Highest population was observed during the first fortnight of October 2004. The percentage of plants and leaves damaged by the grasshopper was maximum during the second fortnight of November 2004. The population and extent of damage of the grasshopper showed significant negative correlation with minimum temperature. The percentage of plants damaged by the tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura (F.) was maximum during the second fortnight of June 2004 and the leaves damaged was the highest during the first fortnight of June 2004. The leaf damage showed significant positive correlation with rainfall. A solitary braconid endoparasitoid Apanteles opacus (Ashmead) was found infesting the second instar larvae of H.recurvalis. The population of pupae of the parasitoid was maximum during the first fortnight of July 2004. Spider predators viz., Oxyopes spp., Cheiracanthium sp., Phidippus sp. and Tetragnatha sp. were found in the field throughout the year. Maximum population of spiders was observed during the second fortnight of September 2004. The population showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. The leaf blight disease caused by R. solani was observed throughout the year. The percentage disease index (PDI) was maximum during the second fortnight of December 2004. Studies on antifeedant effect of botanicals on major pests of amaranthus revealed that azadirachtin 0.0025 per cent was the best phagodeterrent followed by cow’s urine 10 per cent + NSKE five per cent and NSKE five per cent. Six botanical pesticides were evaluated with malathion as check in a field experiment. The treatments included neem seed kernel extract five per cent (NSKE), neem cake (NC) soil application @ 250 kg.ha-1 at planting + neem cake extract (NCE) 10 per cent spray, azadirachtin 0.0025 per cent, cow’s urine 10 per cent + NSKE five per cent, Pongamia oil soap emulsion two per cent and annona seed extract two per cent. Three sprays of the treatments were applied on the crop during the experiment. The results revealed that all the treatments were significantly superior to control in reducing the population of pests and their damage. Azadirachtin 0.0025 per cent was the most effective treatment against leaf webbers and grasshopper. This was followed by cow’s urine 10 per cent + NSKE five per cent and NSKE five per cent. The extent of damage caused by these pests in azadirachtin treated plots was statistically similar to that of malathion treated plots. . The extent of damage by the tobacco caterpillar was the lowest in NC soil application @ 250 kg ha-1 + NCE 10 per cent spray treatment. Higher population of spiders was found in botanical treated plots and control plots compared to malathion treated plots. The botanical treatments were not effective in containing the leaf blight disease. Maximum yield of marketable produce was recorded from malathion treated plots. However the B : C ratio was the highest (3.20) in botanical treatment, azadirachtin 0.0025 per cent (NeemAzal 1% TS @ 2.5 ml/litre) followed by cow’s urine 10 percent + NSKE five per cent (2.12) and NSKE five per cent (2.08). Three sprays of any of these botanicals at fortnightly intervals starting from two weeks after transplanting could manage the pests of amaranthus.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation and management of pest complex in cashew grafts(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Deepthy, K B; KAU; Susannamma, KurienExperiments were conducted at Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara and the Departments of Entomology and Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with the objectives of identifying high yielding cashew variety possessing resistance or tolerance to the Tea Mosquito Bug - Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complx and also to develop an effective and safer management strategy using pesticides. Screening of selected cashew grafts against tea mosquito bug (TMB) and Colletotrichum complex revealed that plants infected with TMB alone cause slight damage and may regain their growth after a period of time, but when the plants were . \ inoculated with Colletotrichum and infected by TMB, the plants cannot regain their growth, once the die-back symptoms were incited. The variety 11-1600 was observed to be better as it IS comparatively tolerant to both TMB and TMB-Colletotrichum complex. The varieties Madakkathara- 2, H-1610 and Kanaka also recorded lesser TMB damage. Inoculation with AMF resulted in greater germination percentage and enhanced growth attributes like height, number of leaves, number of roots, fresh weight and dry weight of plants. Among ,the insecticides, quinalphos and carbaryl were effective in reducing the TMB infestation. Combination sprays of carbendaziml copper oxychloride with quinalphos also proved effective against TMB- Colletotrichum pest complex. The scope of rationalising TMB management has been discussed in the light of the relative tolerance of the varieties and the need for judicious application of selected insecticides to contain TMB and of selected fungicides in conjunction to control the subsequent invasion by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides that may aggravate the die- back symptoms highlighted.ThesisItem Open Access Pathogencity, yield loss assessment and management of root -knot nematode, meloidogyne incognita (kofoid and white) chitwood on chilli (capsicum annum L.)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Rajitha, R; KAU; Arthur Jacob, JA study was conducted in pots to determine the pathogenicity of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). A significant reduction was seen in the growth parameters' at 30, 60 DAT and final harvest when chilli plants were inoculated with 50, 100, 200 and 300 hllOO g soil. A progressive reduction in yield was also observed wi th increase in the inoculum levels, the reduction in yield ranging from 17.59 to 62.99 per cent. Multiplication of the nematode was high at 50 and 100 hll 00 g soil. Considering the importance of the crop in the state, 40 per cent loss in .- yield and multiplication of the nematode in relation to its initial density at 100 Jz 11 00 g soil, the damage threshold of the nematode was fixed as 100 lj100 g soil. Thirteen accessions including high yielding varieties and local accessions were screened in pots for resistance to M. inco gnita. Pusa Sadabahar and Khandari were moderately resistant to the nematode. Pusa Sadabahar,Pusa Jwala and Pant C-l were moderately resistant to infestation of chilli thrips, Scirtothr ips dorsalis and chilli mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus. The high yielding varieties, Jwalamukhi and Jwalasakhi released by Kerala Agricultural University were susceptible to , the nematode but moderately resistant to pest infestation. Three bioagents viz., AMF @ 250 spores per plant, fluorescent pseudomonads 2 per cent and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent and oilcakes viz., neem cake and mustard cake @ 1 t ha-l were evaluated for their efficacy in controlling M. incognita in comparison with carbofuran @l kg ai ha-l in pots. Treatment with the bioagents protected chilli plants better from the infestation of the nematode while amendment of soil with oilcakes resulted in better growth of plants. Yield was also higher in plants treated with bioagents. Among the bioagents, application of AMF @ 250 spores per plant and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent were equally effective 111 reducing nematode infestation and increasing yield of chilli. Based on the results of the study. M. incognito can be considered as a potential threat to the cultivation of chilli at 100 hll 00 g soil. Cultivation of the varieties Pusa Jwala or Pusa Sadabahar would be a viable option in areas where root-knot nematode and chilli mite and thrips are a major problem. Application of the vermiculite formulation of AMF @ 250 spores per plant or Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent at planting can be recommended for inclusion 111 integrated nematode management programmes in chilli.ThesisItem Open Access Bioecology and management of spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus disperus Russell (Homoptera : Aleyrodidae)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Rani, J; KAU; Anitha, NA study on bioecology and management of spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell was carried out in laboratory and pot culture experiments at the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuaram during the period 2003-2004. The survey conducted in the instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani for a period of one year revealed that Aleurodicus dispersus attacked 50 host plants belonging to 30 families. Averrhoea bilimbi L, Capsicum chinense Jacq., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Vitis vinifera Linn, Passiflora edulis L., Jacquemontia violaceae Choisy, Spathoglottis aurea Lindle, Ixora chinensis Lam, Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC Chromolaena odorata (L) King and Robinson, and Phaseolus sp, were reported for the first time in India as host plants of spiralling whitefly in the present study. Biology of A. dispersus on cassava, tomato and chilli revealed that cassava was the most susceptible host plant with shorter developmental period and longer adult period and higher fecundity. The eggs were laid on the under surface of leaves in characteristic spiral manner. Eggs were stalked, elliptical and light yellow to tan coloured. There were three nymphal instars and a pupal stage. Adult resembled tiny moths. The wings were clear first, later covered with a waxy powder. The nymphs and adults caused damage to the plants by sucking cell sap from the tender parts of the plants. They excrete honey dew which served as the substrate for the development of sooty mould. Heavy infestation of A dispersus combined with sooty mould infection resulted in loss of plant vigour, unsightly appearance and reduction in yield. The predators reported during the survey were Allograpta javana Wiedemann (Syrphidae; Diptera ), Axinoscymnus puttarudriahi Kapur and Munshi (Coccinellidae; Coleoptera), Cybocephalus indicus Tian and Ramani (Nitidulidae; Coleoptera) and spiders. Two doses each of the formulation viz., Neemazal, Econeem, and plant extract of Andrographis paniculata and Hyptis suaveolens were evaluated with Dimethoate 0.05 per cent as check against A. dispersus on tomato. Three sprayings were given at 45, 60 and 75 days after transplanting. Among the formulated neem products, Neemazal 4 ml 1-1 recorded highest population reduction of eggs, nymphs and adults of A. dispersus on tomato. The neem products were of only moderate efficiency in reducing various life stages of the pest compared to Dimethoate. However, the products can be included in the integrated management of this whitefly, considering the lower toxicity to the natural enemies and environmental safety. Based on the results of the present study, destruction of weed host plants and use of neem products can be suggested for the management of A. dispersus, as an adhoc recommendation.
