Research Projects

Objective: Development of botanical formulation using Artemisia maritima extract; Validation of botanical formulation for its bio-efficacy against aphids under greenhouse/field conditions.

Summary: Aphids are major sucking insect pests and vectors of most agricultural and horticultural crops which cause significant economic loss/damage directly by sucking the plant sap and transmitting the viruses. Indiscriminate application of synthetic insecticides for the control of aphids led to insecticide resistance, resurgence and harmful to natural enemies besides pesticide residues. Use of bio-pesticides for the control of insect pests has increased the global attention (national & international). The global and Indian market for bio-pesticides was $2.78 and $0.102 billion respectively in 2016 and was expected to reach $ 6.55 and $ 0.778 billion by 2025. In India, few commercial bio-pesticides are available in the market including only one neem based botanical formulation for the control of insect pests and are not accessible to the all the farmers/growers/stakeholders at right time. Therefore, there is a need for the development of alternate botanical formulation. The formulation based on plant extract is not available in the market for the control of aphids. Based on our preliminary studies, ethanol extract of Artemisia maritima showed promising efficacy against aphid on chrysanthemum under greenhouse and okra under field conditions. Therefore, this proposal is formulated to develop botanical formulation for the control of aphids in cabbage and cowpea.