AVRDC- The World Vegetable Center & IPM CRSP Sites in INDIA TRIP REPORT

Transcription

1 AVRDC- The World Vegetable Center & IPM CRSP Sites in INDIA TRIP REPORT September 2-14, 2007 E. A. Short Heinrichs (VA Tech), Greg Luther (AVRDC), Nutan Kaushik (TERI), M. Murugan (TNAU), K. S. Ravi (Mahyco)

2 Executive Summary The IPM demonstration plots coordinated by TERI in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are managed and maintained well and the results are extremely positive. Farmers are excited with the increased yields and better quality produce from the IPM plots which is fetching significantly higher prices than the produce from non-ipm plots. In fact, the results are so exciting that our recommendation is to seek additional funds so as to expand the project to additional villages to have a greater impact. Farmers in Uttar Pradesh are urging TERI to expand beyond okra and brinjal to add demonstration plots on cucurbit IPM next season. At several locations in India there is interest in using the grafting technique, which has been so successful in controlling bacterial wilt of brinjal (eggplant) in Bangladesh and tomato intaiwan. We will explore the possibility of providing an AVRDC scientist with grafting expertise for training at selected sites in India. We acknowledge the support of Mahyco, Syngenta and Sungrow for supplying vegetable seeds and Biotech International for supplying pheromones for the field demonstrations. As the result of this trip the CRSP will be collaborating with the Bio-Control Research Laboratories, Bangalore in the future. The farmer-participatory research trials coordinated by TNAU were initiated earlier this year with an okra trial that showed a number of IPM strategies to be successful. Several new, well laid out trials on okra and brinjal, have recently been planted in Coimbatore and Dharmapuri Districts of Tamil Nadu. Collaborating farmers show a high level of enthusiasm for IPM. 2

3 Introduction The purpose of the trip was to review the IPM CRSP South Asia Regional Project, India site activities and to visit AVRDC to review the latest vegetable IPM technologies suitable for possible employment in the India site project. AVRDC Time (4 Sep.) Meeting Persons AVRDC overview presentation O. Hanschke Meeting with Director General Dr. Thomas A. Lumpkin Meeting with Director for Dr. Yin-Fu Chang Administration Seminar: The Future of IPM: A Global E. A. Heinrichs Perspective Lunch T Lumpkin, YF Chang, G Luther, S Ramasamy, JF Wang and TC Wang Individual Dr. Srini Ramasamy Dr. Kathryn Hamilton Dr. Jaw-Fen Wang Dr. Sengoda G. Venkatesan Dr. Tien-chen Wang Dr. Kardivel Palchamy Dr. Peter Juroszek Dr. Manuel Palada 3

4 India Project sites: Uttar Pradesh (TERI), Andhra Pradesh (TERI), Karnataka (TERI), Tamil Nadu (TNAU) TERI Activities Sites: UP, AP and Karnataka Demonstration plots, not replicated trials IPM Packages employed at all TERI sites Brinjal Whiteflies and leafhoppers (jassids)= Yellow sticky traps, neem and acetamiprid Earias fabia (borer)= Pheromone and Bt for control Bacterial diseases= Pseudomonas as a seed treatment, streptomycin 4

5 Fungal diseases= Trichoderma as a seed treatment Fruit and shoot borer (L. orbonalis)= L. orbonalis pheromone (only used for monitoring and not control), neem, Spinosad, Bt Soil borne diseases= Neem cake Tomato Fruit worm (Helicoverpa armigera) = Neem and Beauveria bassiana and pheromone for monitoring and control Mealy bug= Neem and Beauveria bassiana Bacterial wilt= Pseudomonas seed and seedling treatment Fungal diseases= Trichoderma seed and seedling treatment, mancozeb Okra (Bhendi) Whiteflies and leafhoppers (jassids)= Yellow sticky traps and neem sprays Earias fabia (fruit borer)= Neem sprays, Bt and pheromone for control Bacterial diseases= Pseudomonas as a seed treatment Soil borne diseases= Neem cake broadcast in soil Nematodes= Neem cake broadcast in soil, carbofuran Sucking insects= Beauveria bassiana and neem sprays Fruit worm (Helicoverpa armigera)= Neem and Beauveria bassiana Yellow vein mosaic virus= Varietal resistance, rouging Project sites in Uttar Pradesh State, Meerut district, Gaziabad Research associates in charge of field actitivies: Vivek Sharma and Gopal Biswas Bayana village Name of farmer: Mr. Satish Tyagi Crop: Brinjal Observations: 1. This village is a vegetable production area with many cucurbits 2. Planted brinjal instead of sorghum or wheat 3. Farmer likes the IPM methods so he will plant brinjal again 4. When using non-ipm methods three pesticide sprays/week are applied. This is not necessary when the IPM approach is employed. Bhoorgadi village Name of farmer: Mr. Pannala Crop: Brinjal Observations: 1. IPM is more profitable than conventional pest management 2. Receives Rs 8 / kg for IPM grown crop compared to Rs 5 for non IPM eggplant 5

6 3. IPM eggplant has better quality and consumers say IPM eggplant is tastier 4. Lower cost of production and higher profit of IPM plots than conventional management Name of farmer: Mr. Ramesh Crop: Okra Observations: 1. IPM is more profitable than conventional pest management 2. Receives Rs 9/kg for IPM grown okra compared to Rs 6 for non IPM okra 3. Lower cost of production and higher profit of IPM plots than conventional management Dr.Nutan Kaushik (back to camera), TERI, Ms. V.P. Bharathi, TERI Research Associate (red sari), Dr. Rajagopal. TERI consultant and Greg Luther (hat) discussing results of an okra IPM demonstration plot with the 6

7 Tatarpur Name of farmer: Mr. Parvesh Kumar Crop: Tomato Observations: 1. Mealy bug has recently become a huge problem 2. Main pests are normally tomato fruit worm and bacterial wilt 3. Use different varieties for different seasons 4. Conventional tomato farmers normally spray pesticides 20X per season 5. TERI will hold a field day at this plot at harvest time 6. Employed IPM methods on okra previous season and received Rs 2/kg higher price than IPM okra due to better taste and higher quality of IPM okra 7. Farmer is asking for IPM guidance from TERI in cucurbit crops next season Patanah Name of farmer: Mr. Chandrapalsingh Crop: Tomato Observations: 1. Mealy bug has recently become a huge problem 2. Main pests are normally tomato fruit worm and bacterial wilt 3. Use different varieties for different seasons 4. Conventional tomato farmers normally spray pesticides 20X per season 5. Employed IPM methods on okra previous season and received Rs 2/kg higher price than IPM okra due to better taste and higher quality of IPM okra 6. Farmer is asking for IPM guidance from TERI in cucurbit crops next season 7. Grafting of tomato for control of bacterial wilt has not been done in this area and we recommend that an expert from AVRDC come to India to provide training coordinated by TERI Sikroda Name of farmer: Mr. Muhammad Ali Crop: Okra Observations: Okra is an important crop in this village 1. Farmer practice is to spray at 7 day intervals 2. IPM plots appeared significantly better because of less Spodoptera, Earias and virus damage as many plants were killed and the plots were weedy in farmer s practices plots (see photos below) 7

8 Famers practices (non IPM) plots left (weedy and few brinjal plants) compared to the IPM plot (right) with few weeds and many healthy brinjal plants Project sites in Andhra Pradesh State, Chittoor District, V. Kota Mandal Region Consultant: Dr. D. Rajagopal Research associates in charge of field activities: V. P. Bharathi Note: Due to the high importance of the silkworm industry in this region, certain IPM tactics which could contaminate mulberry leaves and harm silkworms, such as Bt, are banned. Kummarakunta village Name of farmer: Mr. Srinivasa Raju Crop: Okra Observations: 1. Earias is the most damaging pest 2. Whiteflies (Bemisi tabaci) and yellow vein mosaic (YVMV) virus are problems 3. YVMV is transmitted by whiteflies and thus YVMV incidence is related to whitefly populations 4. Both YVMV incidence and whitely populations are reduced in the rainy season Name of farmer: Mr. Srinivasa Raju Crop: Brinjal Observations: 8

9 1. Cabbage and kidney beans are the major crops in this area and farmers are requesting TERI to also include these crops in their IPM project 2. Myllocerus weevil feeding caused serrated leaf edges Farmers demonstrating insects caught in a yellow sticky trap in a newly planted brinjal field. Note pheromone trap and drip irrigation tubes in background. Gudapalli village Name of farmer: Mr. Ashok Kumar Crop: Tomato Observations: 1. Fusarium wilt controlled by seed treatments 2. Bacterial wilt is not a major problem in this area Name of farmer: Mr. Ashok Kumar 9

10 Crop: Okra Observations: Normal price for okra is Rs 3-4 per kg but IPM okra fetches Rs 5-8 per kg due to better quality (color and size) and better taste Hanumanthanagar village Name of farmer: Mr. A. Ganeshan Crop: Okra Observations: 1. Usually ca 50% of okra fruit is damaged by pests. IPM okra only had 3% pest damage. 2. High yields and high quality of IPM grown okra. 3. High quality fetches a premium price in the market. Mr. Ganeshan taking a load of IPM grown okra to town for sale. He receives higher yields and a premium price for IPM grown okra due to high quality (color and shape) and being pesticide free. Daughter in law and grandson in rear are happy with the anticipated sale of the okra. 10

11 Ananthapuram village Name of farmer: Mr. R. Krishnamurthy Crop: Tomato Observations: 1. Fungal wilt and bacterial wilt are problems in this village 2. Pseudomonas controlled fungal and bacterial wilt effectively Name of farmer: Mr. R. Krishnamurthy Crop: Brinjal Observations: 1. Myllocerus weevil damage on leaves seen as serrated margins 2. Grasshopper damage on leaves seen as large areas of leaf removed in center of leaves Project sites in Karnataka State, Kolar District, Bangarapete Taluk Consultant: Dr. D. Rajagopal (Entomologist UAS, Bangalore, retired) Research associate in charge of field activities: V. P. Bharathi SG Kotte village Name of farmer: Mr. Srinivas Crop: Okra Observations: 1. Selling IPM okra at Rs 3 per kg more than on IPM okra 2. Curling fruit due to sucking insect pests 3. Applied neem twice against for several pests Dasarahosahalli village Name of farmer: Mr Gopalaiah Crop: Okra Observations: 1. Farmer likes the IPM methods, can understand them and can recommend them to other farmers because of their low cost 2. The farmer is interested in using IPM for other crops also 3. The middle men are not paying a premium for IPM okra in his area 4. The TERI staff informed him of where other farmers in the area are receiving a premium price for IPM okra Name of farmer: Mr. Gopalaiah Crop: Tomato Observations: 1. Tomato fruit worm (Helicoverpa) is a problem but IPM methods have been effective 11

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13 Bio-Control Research Laboratories (BCRL), Pest Control India (PCI), Bangalore, Karnataka Dr. K. P. Jayanth, General Manager PCI s pioneering work in the bio-control field led to the establishment of BCRL in June It was the first commercial bio-control laboratory in the country with several innovations and standards of mass production of bio-control agents to its credit. The underlying objective was to perfect lab-to-land technology; i.e., developing delivery mechanisms for various bio-control agents so that they are made available to end-users in different parts of the country at reasonable rates. These efforts have created great awareness and demand for eco-friendly and integrated pest management techniques. BCRL has recently moved to its new premises on the outskirts of Bangalore. Spread over a large campus, the new facility is used exclusively for research and production of bio-control agents. It has a large glass house, modern process equipment and experimental fields for raising crops and evaluation of various beneficial organisms in a real-time environment. The single most important aspect in promoting biological control is awareness. Farmers have been used to traditional methods of spraying and therefore it is imperative that this awareness is created at grass-root level. Often, queries from farmers for new products lead to research for newer components in the package. BCRL products for vegetables: Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) A species-specific, disease-causing organism for use against first and early instar larvae of caterpillar pests. The virus is ingested by feeding caterpillars that become pale and start dying within 2-5 days in the characteristic head down position, hanging on only with their abdominal pro-legs. Helicide for American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and Spodo-cide for Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) are available in liquid formulations which can be mixed with water and sprayed on crops. 13

14 Neem-Baan Neem-based pesticide. Neem contains a complete array of bitter constituents known as meliacin of which Azadirachtin is considered the most potent in its pesticidal properties. It is effective against more than 300 species of pests in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and plantations. NIPROT A formulation of potent antagonistic fungi, Trichoderma viride or Trichoderma harzianum, to control soil borne fungal pathogens that cause diseases in crops. Trichoderma parasitize pathogenic fungi and limit their growth and activity. They also produce toxic metabolites and form a protective coating on seeds against soil borne pathogenic fungi. Pheromone Lures and Traps Monitoring Installation of traps with suitable pheromone 2-3 per acre can provide information on pest incidence and intensity in agricultural fields. Based on the number of males caught, the timing and frequency of control measures can be determined. Mass Trapping Sex pheromones and traps can also be used as a device for reducing the population of target pests. The majorities of females present in cropped fields remain unmated and lay infertile eggs as a result of mass trapping of males. Lures available for the vegetable insects: Helicoverpa armigera (American Bollworm) Spodoptera litura (Tobacco Caterpillar) Earias vitella (Spotted Bollworm) Earias insulana (Spiny Bollworm) Plutella xylostella (Diamond Back Moth) Leucinodes orbonalis (Brinjal Fruit & Shoot Borer) (Lucin-Lure & Wota-T) Bactrocera cucurbitae (Melon Fly) Bactrocera dorsalis (Fruit Fly) Phthorimoea operculella (Potato Tuber Moth) 14

15 Bio-Control Research Laboratories scientist demonstrating her work (left photo) and Dr. Nutan Kaushik, TERI, Dr. Jayanth, Lab Director, Heinrichs, Luther and lab scientist (left to right in right photo ) discussing biocontrol agents for vegetable insect control made in the Bio-Control Research Laboratories 15

16 Mahyco Seeds Ltd. Bangalore, Karnataka Dr. K. S. Ravi, Virologist We met with Mahyco virologist Dr. K. S. Ravi of Mahyco Research in Bangalore where Mahyco is developing a new research center about 40 km west of Bangalore near the village of Nelamangala (off the Pune road) (see photos). This center will specialize on vegetable research and is second largest of the centers next to the Jalna heaquarters. It is located in a former cut flower industry complex and will be operational in October, Mahyco is providing high quality seeds of brinjal, okra and tomato with varying levels of pest and disease resistance for the IPM CRSP technology demonstration plots in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Mahyco Research Center headquarters at Dawalwadi near Jalna, Maharashtra is one of Asia s most advanced seed industry Research and Development establishments and is well equipped with state of art labs for seed health, molecular biology, cytogenetics, pathology, entomology, molecular virology and plant transformation. Mahyco produces vegetable seeds including brinjal, okra, tomato, hot pepper, cucurbits, cabbage, radish and beetroot. Dr. K. S. Ravi, Mahyco virologist in front of shade houses where vegetables are growing 16

17 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Activities Sites: Coimbatore and Dharmapuri Districts, Tamil Nadu After arriving at TNAU mid-afternoon of 10 September, Heinrichs and Luther met with the IPM CRSP team of TNAU researchers. This group included: Dr. P. Balasubramanian, Director, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology Dr. V. Krishnasamy, Head, Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Dr. V. Prakasam, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies Dr. M. Murugan, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Principal Investigator, IPM CRSP Dr. N. Balakrishnan, Assistant Professor (Entomology), Dept. of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Dr. E.I. Jonathan, Professor of Nematology, Dept. of Nematology Dr. P. Karuppuchamy, Professor of Agricultural Entomology Dr. Yasoda, Research Associate, Dept. of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Ms. Renuka, Senior Research Fellow Dr. Senthil Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, Nematology The TNAU team completed a season of okra IPM trials earlier this year in Coimbatore District. They provided a written report to Heinrichs and Luther with the results from this trial. Brinjal trials were recently planted in Coimbatore and Dharmapuri Districts. Another okra trial was recently planted in Dharmapuri also. Since bacterial wilt is a problem on tomato in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Prakasam and others expressed interest in hosting a training on grafting here at TNAU next year, which would be conducted by AVRDC. The TNAU team provided other information, including that: 1) Recent mealybug population explosions on a range of crops have been caused by pesticide use which has killed natural enemies, especially coccinellids; 2) Farmers are eager to find alternatives to conventional pesticides because they are tired of the problems associated with pesticides, especially the high costs from frequent pesticide use; 3) Some biopesticides are currently well accepted and used by farmers, and many private companies are supplying these products; for example, more than 80 companies in India are producing Pseudomonas and Trichoderma. 17

18 Experimental Plans The eggplant and okra research/demonstration trials in progress and those to be planted from September 2006 to September 2008 will be conducted as follows. Eggplant: Varieties: Co2/ TNAU hybrid IPM tactics: 1. Nursery 1A. Monitoring Seedlings will be monitored once in every 3 or 4 days for the occurrence of pests and diseases especially symptoms like wilting and yellowing. 1B. Management 1. Solarization of the soil with polythene sheets and sowing the seeds in raised beds. 2. Soil application of neem cake (400 kg / ha) 3. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas (10 g/kg) / Trichoderma (4 g/kg) and imidacloprid 4. Removal of disease affected seedlings and destroy them. 2. Transplanting: The seedlings will be transplanted at the age of 40 days 2A. Monitoring 1. Regular monitoring at weekly intervals will be carried out for the occurrence of flagged tips, wilting, yellowing and stunting and little leaf. 2. Yellow sticky traps and pheromone traps will be erected in the main field to monitor the incidence of whiteflies and EFSB respectively. 2B. Management in the main field Prophylactic measures: 1. Soil application of neem cake, Pseudomonas / Trichoderma 18

19 2. Intercropping of coriander without compromising the row spacing of brinjal and raising French marigold once in every 5 rows of egg plant. 3. Maintenance of weed free field 4. Judicious irrigation and 25 per cent more application of K 5. NSKE spray will be given as need based application. 6. Clipping of flagged terminals 7. Release of Trichogramma chilonis based on pheromone trap catches (1 male per trap) 8. Fish oil rosin soap will be used for the management of sucking pests in Brinjal. 9. If soil treatment with Pseudomonas and Trichoderma were found ineffective then fungicides will be considered as a final option to manage the root rot incidence. 10. Little leaf infected plants will be removed and destroyed. 2C. Monitoring during fruiting period 1. The plants will be monitored at every harvest for the occurrence flagged tips, wilting, yellowing and stunting, and little leaf. 2. Whiteflies and EFSB incidence will be monitored using the yellow sticky traps and pheromone traps respectively. 3. The percentage of fruit damage by EFSB (punctures in the fruit) and Phomopsis rot fruits will also be noted down at every harvest. 2D. Management 1. EFSB damaged fruits and Phomopsis infected fruits will be removed and destroyed 2. Adequate irrigation in summer to suppress the population of mites. Wettable sulfur will be considered as one time remedy (if the spider mite population reaches the peak). Ratoon crop: Not recommended Pests and diseases during off season: Damping off and root knot nematode 19

20 Monitoring: The spent plants will be monitored for the carry over of nematodes and pathogens Management: Deep summer ploughing and growing non host plants Observations to be recorded: Nursery Ants, Jassids, Leafminer, Ash weevil, Damping off (Pythium) and Nematodes Main field: Eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), Ash weevil, Jassids, Whiteflies, Aphids, Epilachna beetle, Mealy bugs, Root rot, Fusarium wilt, Little leaf and Root knot nematode. Control: Farmers practices Plot Size: 10 cents for each treatment and replication Okra: Season: Three trials from September 2006 to September 2008 Varieties: No.10 Mahyco hybrid/ TNAU hybrid IPM tactics 1A. Monitoring 1. The crop will be monitored at weekly intervals for the incidence of yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew. 2. The occurrence of whiteflies will be monitored using the yellow sticky traps. 1B. Management: Prophylactic Measures: 1. The seeds will be treated with Pseudomonas and imidacloprid 2. Soil application of neem cake 20

21 3. Fish oil rosin soap will be used for the management of sucking pests 4. Yellow vein mosaic virus infected plants will be rouged out and destroyed. 5. NSKE spray will be given as need based application. 6. Wettable sulfur will be considered as the final option to manage the okra mite and powdery mildew. Major pests and diseases to be observed: Fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera, leafhopper, whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, leaf eating caterpillars, flower beetles, nematodes, powdery mildew and yellow vein mosaic virus. Off season: Growing of non-malvaceous crops will prevent the carry over of the pests in the ensuing cropping season. Control: Farmers practices Plot Size: 10 cents for each treatment and replication Project sites Visited in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu Theethipalayam village On 10 September, Heinrichs, Luther and the TNAU team visited IPM trial sites at Theethipalayam village, Coimbatore District Research/demonstration plot 1 (completed) One field trial in okra was conducted during April - July 2007 as mentioned above. The variety Arka Anamica and hybrids viz., M 10 (MAHYCO, Mumbai), Saloni (Seminis), Champion 101 (Griffin) and TNAU hybrid (COBH H1) were used for the study. The design of the experiment was split plot with six treatments and four replications. The plot has been harvested and detailed data on pests and disease incidence and yields reported. Materials and Methods The treatments were as follows. T 1 IPM (seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens (2g/kg) + soil application of neem cake (200kg/acre)+ foliar spray of fish oil rosin soap 2% + foliar spray of NSKE 5%+ yellow sticky trap) 21

22 T 2 T 3 T 4 T 5 IPM minus seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens (10g/ kg) IPM minus soil application of neem cake (400 kg/ ha) IPM minus yellow sticky trap (1Kg/acre) IPM minus neem seed kernal extract (5%) (NSKE) T 6 IPM minus fish oil rosin soap (2 %) For the treatments T 1 to T 6, all the 4 hybrids mentioned above were used. Arka Anamika variety with non IPM practices (farmer s practices) was compared. Time of application Neem cake (200 kg/acre) was applied in the soil at the time of last ploughing. The yellow sticky bands were placed in the field, when the plants were at a height of 20cm. Three sprays of fish oil rosin soap (2 per cent) and neem seed kernel extract (5 per cent) were given 20 days after sowing and repeated on 40 and 60 DAS. Observations Insect pests The per cent damage caused by borers and the number of sucking pests were recorded. The intensity of the insect pests was recorded at 10 days interval by observing 15 plants selected at random in all the replications. Diseases The observations on Per cent Disease Incidence for the virus disease and wilt and Per cent Disease Index (PDI) for foliar diseases were recorded. The intensity of the diseases was recorded at 10 days interval by observing 15 plants selected at random in all the replications. Nematodes The observations were recorded on gall index. The incidence of the gall index was recorded 90 days after sowing. The intensity of the gall index was recorded by observing 15 plants selected at random in all the replications in each treatment. The results were expressed as gall index. 22

23 Results The results of various treatments on the incidence of insects, diseases and nematodes of okra are given below. Insect pests Borers: Earias vitella A maximum of 30 per cent infestation was observed in the non IPM plots sown with Arka Anamika. There was no infestation in the IPM plot of M10 hybrid. On overall basis, the infestation was maximum in the later stages of the crop. Helicoverpa armigera There was no infestation of H. armigera in the hybrids. Maximum of 3.33 per cent infestation was observed in the Arka Anamika variety. Research/demonstration plot 2 (recently planted) The experiment, entitled, Management of Pest and Disease Complex in Brinjal (Variety CO 2) with Cultural Methods, Botanicals and Biopesticides, was planted on 9 September 2007, and has the following treatments: 1) IPM: Neem seed kernel extract + yellow sticky trap + neem cake + fish oil rosin soap + Pseudomonas fluorescens + T. chilonis + intercropping 2) IPM without Pseudomonas fluorescens 3) IPM without neem seed kernel extract 4) IPM without yellow sticky trap 5) IPM without neem cake 6) IPM without fish oil rosin soap 7) IPM without T. chilonis 8) IPM without coriander intercrop 9) Farmers practice. Project sites in the TNAU precision farming area, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu Farmers meeting (11 September) with Althiaman Precision Farmers Association President: P.M. Chinnasamy Association has 90 members, coming from 40km radius, includes over 100 villages. All crops under drip irrigation. 23

24 Host farmers: Ravi and Radha (see family photo) 24

25 On 11 September, Heinrichs, Luther and the TNAU team visited IPM trial sites at the Dharmapuri District where TNAU established the first precision farming project in This project has been very successful and will be expanded to 14 more districts in Tamil Nadu and there is extensive interest from neighboring states. The system employed seems to solve the problem of transferring technology from the research station to the farmer (extension) which is a continuing problem in India. TNAU IPM CRSP scientists Drs. Yashoda, Murugan (site coordinator), Jonathan and Prakasam at the farmers meeting with the Althiaman Precision Farmers Association. Posters in background. 25

26 Research/Demonstration plots Farmer 1 = Sri Ravi Demonstration plots (2)= Crops: Brinjal and okra Observations: Recently planted Expected problems: Brinjal- Bacterial and Fusarium wilts, nematodes, fruit and shoot borer, aphids, red spider mite, whiteflies and mealybugs Okra- Red spider mite, Earias, whiteflies, leafhoppers (jassids), YVMV (yellow vein mosaic virus) and nematodes Farmer 2= Sri Damodheren Demonstration plots (2)= Crops: Brinjal and okra Observations: Recently planted Expected problems: Same as above Farmer 3 Demonstration plots (2) = Crops: Brinjal and okra Observations: Recently planted Expected problems: Same as above Farmer 4 Demonstration plots (2)= Crop: Brinjal and okra Observations: Recently planted Expected problems: Same as above 26

27 TNAU IPM CRSP scientists and farmers in a brinjal plot at the meeting with the Althiaman Precision Farmers Association. 27

28 Recently planted brinjal IPM trial in Kolupatti, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, a precision farming area. Note pheromone traps, yellow sticky traps and drip irrigation tubes in background. 28

29 Recently planted brinjal IPM plot with yellow sticky traps and drip irrigation tubes. Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu. 29

30 Farmer (left) expressing her happiness with the IPM plots to a happy TNAU plant protection scientist, Ms. Renuka (right). Theethipalayam Village, Coimbatore District. IPM CRSP Sponsored Research activities completed and in progress at TNAU 1. In order to study the insecticide resistance among the population of Leucinodes orbonalis and Bemisia tabaci, population of insects were collected from eight districts of Tamil Nadu and are reared under artificial diet and natural diet. Bioassays are initiated with commonly used insecticides viz., quinalphos, monocrotophos, carbaryl and phosphomidan with long range testing from 20 ppm to 100 ppm. After finalizing the insecticide resistance study, the distinctly varied population will be taken for molecular studies. 30

31 Meanwhile, DNA has been isolated from female L. orbonalis moths collected from the eight different districts. 2. The Cry2Aa protein tested gave more than 80 percent mortality to neonates of EFSB. This resistant eggplant is being tested in the greenhouse for gene expression in different- stages (nursery, vegetative, flowering, fruiting and fag end of the crop) and plant parts (leaves at different positions, main stem, flower, calyx, different aged fruits) and for efficacy against different instars of L. orbonalis 3. IPM training for eggplant and okra farmers A meeting was conducted with IPM experts from different fields such as Agricultural Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology to train the farmers on vegetable IPM practices. About 60 farmers in and around the Theethipalayam village, Coimbatore District attended the meeting. Blow up charts and exhibits were prepared in regional languages and exhibited. TNAU IPM Experts meeting with farmers 31