Browsing by Author "Faizal, M H"

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Botanicals for the management of pests of brinjal, solanum melongena L.
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Deekshith, D; Faizal, M H
Development of baits for the management of Spodoptera litura (F.)
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2023-03-18) Athul Jacob K.; Faizal, M H
The research work entitled “Development of baits for the management of Spodoptera litura (F.)” was conducted in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during the year 2020-2022 with an objective to develop and evaluate poison and NPV baits against Spodoptera litura (F.). Base matrices were prepared using different food materials viz. Rice bran, wheat bran, deoiled soybean chunk, chick pea flour, wheat flour, in which jaggery containing corn flour was used as an attractant. Base matrices were prepared by taking 100 g of base to which 25 g of jaggery and 0.25 g of corn starch dissolved in 50 mL water was added and mixed thoroughly using an additional 50 mL of water. After allowing fermentation for 24 hours, it was passed through a steel press which had 3 mm sized holes which forced the bait matrix out as cylindrical granules. S. litura larvae attracted to different base matrices was studied in a free choice experiment in which significantly high attraction was elicited by wheat bran (16%) and wheat flour (16.5%) matrices which was next to the natural food of castor leaves. Among the food matrices significantly high consumption was for the wheat bran and wheat flour matrices (5.37 g and 3.84 g by 20 larvae respectively), exposed to fermentation for 24 hours at 48 HAT. Since in no choice experiment also wheat bran food matrix elicited significantly superior feeding (7.19 mg/g of larvae), it was chosen as the most suitable fresh bait. Storable bait matrices which can be rehydrated prior to use was developed by mixing wheat bran and wheat flour in various proportions as base materials, since they exhibited maximum attraction and feeding by S. litura. These base matrices were dehydrated by exposing to 450C for 8 hrs in a hot air oven and then rehydrated. Comparison of structural integrity revealed the superiority of base matrix comprising of wheat bran and wheat flour in 65:35 proportion, which exhibited structural integrity scores of 3,3,2 before dehydration, after dehydration, and after rehydration respectively, without any clump formation. This combination matrix also exhibited superior ingestion by S. litura larvae in a no-choice trial wherein 1.82 and 1.6 g were ingested by 5 larvae at 24 and 48 HAT respectively. In order to further improve the structural integrity of the combination rehydratable base matrix, various stickers viz, xanthan gum, acacia gum arabic, agar, carboxy methyl cellulose @ 1% were tried. Wheat bran + wheat flour food matrix was prepared by mixing 65 and 35 g respectively along with 25 g of jaggery, 0.25 g of corn flour and 1.3 g of sticker in 100 mL of water. Though xanthan gum and CMC based combination matrix improved the structural integrity of the matrix to a score of 1 with less than 5% crumbling the latter was selected as sticker because of its superior palatability. 1.99 g of the combination matrix containing CMC as sticker was consumed by 5 nos. of S. litura larvae in 48 hrs as against 1.34 g of same containing xanthan gum in a no choice experiment. Insecticides, viz., fipronil (5 SC) @ 0.15%, thiodicarb (75 WP) @ 0.2%, emamectin benzoate (5 SG) @ 0.004%, novaluron (10 EC) @ 0.015%, flubendiamide (39.35 SC) @ 0.012%, cyantraniliprole (10.26 OD) @ 0.012%, chlorpyriphos (20 EC) @ 0.05% and Sl NPV @ 106 OB/g, were evaluated as toxicants in the wheat bran based and wheat bran + wheat flour based food matrices both as fresh and rehydrated forms. Cyantraniliprole 0.12% and emamectin benzoate @ 0.004% incorporated fresh baits exhibited cent per cent mortality of S. litura at 48 HAT and 60 HAT respectively and were significantly superior to the rest of the treatments. The rehydrated baits containing the above toxicants though exhibited less mortality when compared to fresh baits at early intervals they became on par to that of fresh baits at 72 HAT. Poison baits were evaluated for its efficacy against S. litura in cowpea (var. Anashwara) in a caged pot culture experiment. Wheat bran based fresh bait and wheat bran + wheat flour based rehydratable baits were evaluated. Among the baits tried, cyantraniliprole @ 0.012% containing wheat bran based fresh bait produced 97.5% mortality of S. litura at 2 DAT, an effect on par with that of foliar application of insecticides with the least leaf area damage (11.56%) making it the most promising poison bait. In comparison to the control, Sl NPV baits caused considerable mortality and reduced leaf area damage. Storable wheat bran+ wheat flour based bait containing cyantraniliprole @ 0.012% and emamectin benzoate @ 0.004% after rehydration produced mortality of 77.5 and 75% respectively which were on par with each other. Leaf area damage was also significantly low in these treatments compared to control. Hence these baits have the potential to be developed and used as commercial storable poison baits against S. litura. Wheat bran based fresh poison baits (100 g wheat bran + 25 g jaggery and 0.25 g corn starch + 100 mL water) containing cyantraniliprole @ 0.012% can be used for management of S. litura in cowpea. A storable dehydrated wheat bran + wheat flour poison bait formulation (65 g wheat bran + 35 g wheat flour + 25 g of jaggery+ 0.25 g of corn flour + 1.3 g of CMC) containing cyantraniliprole @ 0.012% was also developed in the current study, which can be readily used under field condition after rehydration.
Endophyte mediated bio-intensive management of pests of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025-06-28) Rajeshwaran, B; Faizal, M H
The present study entitled “Endophyte mediated bio-intensive management of pests of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.” was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period 2020 2024. The primary objective of this research was the characterization and utilization of native endospore-forming endophytic bacteria (EEB) for the bio-intensive management of pests in cowpea. This approach aimed to provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional pest control methods, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. A total of 54 bacterial endophytes were isolated from vegetable and bush-type cowpea plants, of which 49 were confirmed as endospore-formers using the Schaeffer Fulton method. These endospore-forming bacteria underwent a series of bioassays to assess their pathogenicity and feeding deterrence against the chewing insect Spodopteralitura. The evaluation included direct exposure methods and exposure through primed cowpea seedlings in both choice and no-choice experimental conditions. Among the isolates tested, ten isolates viz., CPB 1a, CPB 2a, CPB 5a, CPB 8b, CPV 06, CPV 08, CPV 14, CPV 18, CPV 21, and CPV 32 were found effective in the in planta choice assessment. These isolates significantly reduced damage with lower damage intensity scores of 1.73 to 2.07 compared to unprimed controls (4.87) and other isolate-primed plants (2.47 - 4.93). The selected ten isolates were further subjected to in planta no-choice conditions, where the fitness of feeding insects was tested using relative growth rates and antifeedant activity of second and fourth instar S. litura. Three isolates, namely CPB 1a, CPV 18, and CPV 14, primed cowpea plants substantially reduced larval relative growth rates for both 2nd instar (0.35 mg/day, 0.46 mg/day, and 0.58 mg/day, respectively) and 4th instar (0.42 mg/day, 0.49 mg/day, and 0.59 mg/day, respectively). Similarly, the antifeedant activity, in terms of percentage weight gain reduction compared to larvae on control plants, was 80.53%, 73.58%, and 65.94% for the 2nd instar and 71%, 65.77%, and 54.44% for the 4th instar in these three isolates. The priming effects of endophytes were prominently observed in cowpea plants treated with CPB 1a and CPV 18 when exposed to S. litura. These plants showedenhanced and sustained production of antioxidants (SOD, CAT, POD, APX, GR) and defense enzymes (PAL, PPO, TP) compared to infested control plants. GC-MS analysis of plant volatiles revealed the release of 1-octen-3-ol and 9-octadecanoic acid, precursors of the plant defense signalling molecule jasmonic acid, in CPB 1a and CPV 18-primed plants, confirming their role in strengthening plant defense against S. litura. The efficacy of these bacterial isolates was evaluated against the sap-sucking insect Aphis craccivora through in-planta choice assays using the Aphid Quantity Ratio (AQR). Isolates CPB 1a, CPV 8, CPV 14, and CPV 18-primed plants demonstrated moderate resistance, with AQR values of 0.5, 0.42, 0.52, and 0.49, respectively, compared to unprimed control plants, which recorded an AQR value of 1.58, classifying them as highly susceptible. Furthermore, in-planta no-choice assays analyzing life table parameters revealed significant impacts of CPV 08- and CPV 18-primed plants on A. craccivora's biological and demographic traits. Relatively shorter oviposition periods of 6.27 and 7.25 days were observed in CPV 8 and CPV 18 treatments, respectively, whereas prolonged oviposition of 11.37 days was noticed in control plants. Consequently, the fecundity of aphids was reduced to 15.42 progeny per aphid for CPV 08 and 19.77 progeny per aphid for CPV 18, compared to 39.8 progeny per aphid in the control. Additionally, the intrinsic rate of population increase was lower for CPV 08 (1.24) and CPV 18 (1.26) than for the control (1.38). The higher production of antioxidants and defense enzymes, along with the release of volatile compounds such as methyl salicylate, betulinaldehyde, and trans-farnesol, confirmed the induction of plant defense responses by these isolates in cowpea plants challenged with A. craccivora. Promising bacterial isolates were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. CPB 1a was identified as Bacillus velezensis, CPV 08 as Bacillus zanthoxyli, and CPV 18 as Bacillus subtilis, with sequence similarity percentages of 100%, 99.13%, and 99.57%, respectively. Comparative studies of potential endophytes such as B. velezensis CPB 1a and B. subtilis CPV 18 for S. litura along with other entomopathogens revealed that, upon seed priming, B. thuringiensis BTG4 and B. velezensis CPB 1a significantly reduced leaf damage to 17.29% and 20.56%, respectively. This was followed by B. subtilis CPV 18-treated plants, which recorded 30.18% leaf damage compared to77.24% in control plants exposed to feeding by S. litura. Additionally, plants primed with these bacteria exhibited enhanced resilience, maintaining better plant biometric characteristics such as increased fresh and dry weight under S. litura feeding conditions. Similarly, the comparative effectiveness of identified potential isolates against A. craccivora, such as B. zanthoxyli CPV 8 and B. subtilis CPV 18, alongside other entomopathogens, demonstrated that the priming effects of these microbes were most pronounced in B. zanthoxyli CPV 8 and B. subtilis CPV 18. These isolates effectively reduced the population build-up of A. craccivora to 29.66 and 32.66 aphids per plant, respectively, compared to 81.66 aphids per plant in the control. Furthermore, plants treated with these isolates showed significant improvements in plant biometric traits, such as improved fresh and dry weight under A. craccivora-infested conditions. All the effective isolates B. velezensis CPB 1a, B. zanthoxyli CPV 8, and B. subtilis CPV 18, including B. thuringiensis BTG4, were successfully reisolated from the primed plants during the observation period of two to four weeks after sowing ensure their effective colonisation as endophytes in cowpea. An in-vitro compatibility study was conducted to assess the potential of integrating these effective endophytic bacteria with entomopathogens. The results indicated that Beauveriabassiana NBAIR 05, Lecanicilliumlecanii NBAIR VL8, and B. subtilis CPV 18 were compatible with one another, enabling the creation of a microbial consortium. Pest incidence in cowpea plants treated with a microbial consortium, along with other promising endophytes and entomopathogens applied singly or in various combinations using different application techniques, was analyzed to assess their pest management potential under natural conditions in a pot culture experiment. Soil drenching with the microbial consortium provided early protection against A. craccivora, reducing populations by 29.45% to 31.28% up to five weeks after sowing (WAS). Foliar applications combining B. bassiana or L. lecanii with the consortium (treatments T18 and T19) yielded results comparable to chemical insecticides by 6 WAS after the first foliar application, with effects sustained until the final observation. Similarly, treatment T18 significantly reduced the incidence of S. litura after the first foliar application by 95%, matching the efficacy of chemical insecticides. T18(Consortium + B. bassiana) also demonstrated enhanced plant biometric characteristics, including increased plant height, number of leaves, number of pods, pod length, and pod yield, while effectively reducing the incidence of Maruca sp. and Riptortus sp. The microbial consortium consisting of Beauveriabassiana NBAIR-05, Lecanicilliumlecanii NBAIR VL-8, and B. subtilis CPV 18 developed in the current study along with foliar application of B. bassiana was proved to be effective in managing major insect pest of cowpea across different feeding guilds and have the potential to be integrated as one of the tactics in integrated pest management in cowpea.
Management of epilachna beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fab.) with phylloplane and pathogenic microorganisms
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Aswathy Viswanathan; Faizal, M H
The study entitled “Management of epilachna beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fab.) with phylloplane and pathogenic microorganisms” was undertaken in the Department of Agricultural Entomology at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2013 – 2015 with an objective to manage epilachna beetle in brinjal utilizing phylloplane and pathogenic microorganisms. Twelve entomopathogenic microorganisms from diseased epilachna grubs and six phylloplane bacteria were isolated. Upon preliminary screening for pathogenicity to epilachna beetle, six bacterial isolates (three from diseased epilachna grubs and three from phylloplane) were found to be infective. The bacteria were identified as Microbacterium sp., Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, C. flaccumfaciens and Bacillus megaterium based on 16s rRNA sequence homology. The highest chitinase activity was recorded in P. aeruginosa (8.2 units ml-1) followed by B. megaterium (4.8 units ml-1). Chitinase activity was also seen in S. marcescens and P. fluorescens (1.4 and 1.7 units ml-1 each). In oral and topical exposure studies conducted in the laboratory, S. marcescens produced 93.28 per cent mortality to epilachna grubs at 5 DAT which was statistically on par with that of chemical check (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC). This was followed by P. aeruginosa with a mortality of 73.01 per cent. The phylloplane isolated P. fluorescens and C. flaccumfaciens caused 63.25 and 50 per cent mortality at 7 DAT respectively. Epilachna grubs exposed to S. marcescens caused a leaf area damage of 51.47 per cent as against 100 per cent in untreated check. In pot culture experiment with foliar application of microbial treatments S. marcescens, P. aeruginosa caused 93.27 per cent and 69.76 per cent mortality in epilachna grubs at 5 DAT and were on par with chemical control (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC). S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa reduced the per plant population of epilachna grubs to 7.54 and 9.86 respectively which was significantly superior to that of untreated check (18.26) and was next best to Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (2.05) at 7 DAT. With respect to all three important parameters, viz. mortality, population reduction and leaf area damage reduction, the treatment with S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa was found to be superior to commercially used fungal entomopathogens like Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium lecanii and bacterial entomopathogens like B. thuringiensis and P. fluorescens. The phylloplane isolated P. fluorescens was able to produce mortality of 50 per cent and above at 5 and 7 DAT and could also bring about around 50 per cent reduction in population and more than 70 per cent reduction in leaf area damage over untreated check. Thus, S. marcescens at a dose of 108 cfu ml-1 is an effective entomopathogenic bacterium in controlling epilachna beetle in brinjal and has a potential to replace chemical insecticides. Since some strains of Serratia marcescens are known to be opportunistic mammalian pathogens suitable bio-safety evaluations have to be conducted before employing it for field level pest management.
Management of major chewing pests, henosepilachna septima (Dieke) and diaphania indica (Saund) infesting bitter gourd with bacterial bioagents
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Liz J Mampallil; Faizal, M H
Management of major sucking pests in cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.with entom opathogens and plant defense inducing rhizobacteria
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2010) Kavitha, S J; Faizal, M H
A study was conducted at the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2007-2009 to major sucking pests in cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. with entomopathogens and plant defense inducing rhizobacteria. All PGPR screened viz., Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus and Serratia marcescens significantly enhanced seedling vigor in cowpea. Seed treatment with PGPR gave superior results over soil drenching and foliar application. Population build up of A. craccivora was slow in PGPR treated plants compared to control. B. subtilis, B. pumilus and S. marcescens were identified as potential PGPR suited for growth promotion and aphid suppression in screening experiment in glass house. Fusarium pallidoroseum and S. marcescens proved very effective entomopathogen against A. craccivora and R. pedestris respectively showing consistently higher mortality with increase in exposure time. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were found moderately effective. In dual culture plate assay, all PGPR were compatible with each other, Among the entomopathogens, M. anisopliae inhibited growth of F. pallidoroseum strongly. In combination of PGPR and entomopathogens, B. subtilis, Pseudomonas sp. and P. putida strongly inhibited the growth of M. anisopliae. In pot culture studies, B. subtilis was the best PGPR treatment in enhancing the biometric characters and yield of cowpea. F. pallidoroseum gave maximum per cent mortality of A. craccivora. B. subtilis applied in combination with F. pallidoroseum was effective in suppressing aphids and increasing the yield. Dual application of B. subtilis and S. marcescens against R. pedestris resulted in significantly higher yield. Combined infestation of A. craccivora and R. pedestris could be managed by seed treatment with B. subtilis followed by application of F. pallidoroseum and S. marcescens.
Management of sucking pest complex in chilli using botanical and microbial pesticides
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Priyatha Sundaran, C; Faizal, M H
Management of the sucking pest complex coconut eriophyid mite, coreid bug and button mealy bug infesting coconut bunches
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Priya Mohan; Faizal, M H
Microbial formulations for the management of spodoptera litura F.
(Department of agricultural entomology, college of agriculture , Vellayani, 2023-06-30) Hari Sanker S S.; Faizal, M H
The present study entitled “Microbial formulations for the management of Spodoptera litura F.” was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2018-2022 with an objective to develop ecofriendly, biologically based formulations comprising of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) in plant derived carrier materials for the management of the polyphagous pest S. litura.
Studies on the entomogenous fungus associated with cowpea aphid
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Faizal, M H; Susamma Mathai
Studies were conducted on the entomogenous fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooks) Sacc. infecting cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch. The infected aphids turned pale and assumed brownish black discolouration. Death occurred in 24 to 72 hours after infection and mycelial growth appeared on the cadavers 24 to 48 hours after death. For mass production of the fungus, wheat bran and rice bran appeared to be comparatively suitable as they recorded maximum growth, sporulation and virulence of the pathogen. Maximum sporulation was noticed 8 days after inoculation. Culture substrates subjected to full heat sterilization produced maximum growth and sporulation of the fungus followed by those subjected to full solarization. A mortality per cent of 99.57 was observed when aphids were sprayed with culture filtrate of F. pallidoroseum grown in Richard’s medium indicating the presence of toxins. Studies on the effect of pesticides on the growth of the fungus showed that mercaptothion and monocrotophos were the least inhibitory. Fenthion showed the least inhibition of sporulation. HCH, captan and zineb completely inhibited the growth. Sporulation was completely inhibited in all the fungicidal treatments. Under laboratory conditions spore suspension of the fungus in water was found to be superior to the spore formulations tried. Among the formulations wettable powder with diatomaceous earth as inert material was found to cause more mortality followed by wettable powder with talc as inert material. Dust using talc as inert material was found to be the least effective. Spore suspension in water, wettable powder formulation of fungal spores with diatomaceoue earth as inert material and quinalphos 0.05 per cent were found to be equally effective in bringing down the population of aphids under field conditions. The virulence of spores of F. pallidoroseum in formulation was found to decrease with increase in storage period and it retained substantial virulence up to four days of storage.