School of Agriculture (SOA), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, organized a one-day National Webinar on 28th June, 2021. In this webinar the students of UG and PG of Agriculture, Academicians and Researchers from various Colleges and Universities in India participated. The main objectives of this webinar were to share the knowledge on biological control and their needs for the development of sustainable agriculture; to have an in-depth analysis on the available techniques and technologies to reduce the use of chemicals in crop fields; and to set the future strategies for cultivation of organic foods.
The session started with the Welcome Note delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Mahipal Singh, Dean, SOA, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun. He briefed the audiences about the need of biological control of insect pests in the agriculture sector. He also advised the students of Agriculture to opt for training (RAWE, AIA and Experiential Learning Programmes) on Intergraded Pest Management and it utilization the cultivation of crops.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, HOD, SOA, introduced the Guest Speaker and invited him for the Technical Session. Guest Speaker Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Yousuf thanked the Organizing Committee and started his presentation through online mode. He shared his experiences on biological controls of insect pests being practiced in India. He explained that the pesticides applied for insect pests control is devastating the non-target and beneficial insect fauna like parasitoids, predators and pollinators etc. Over 90% of these pesticides enter into the aquatic environment, grazing areas and human settlements. Indiscriminate application of insecticides is responsible for serious adverse effects, developing resistance & resurgence of insect pests, environmental pollution and problems related to human health. Biological control of insect pests is effective, environmentally safe and economically viable pest management.
He also recommended various methods and bio-control agents that were reported suitable during his research in FRI, Dehradun and other ICFRE institutions for the control of San-Jose-scale insect pest of apple, Eucalyptus Gall Wasp, Teak Defoliator, etc. He presented following strategies for furthering work on biological control of insect pests:
A. Exploration of Parasitoids:
1. Parasitoids of different groups (Hymenopterous and Dipterous) including egg, larval and pupal parasitoids are to be explored out thoroughly.
2. Techniques of mass multiplication of larval and pupal parasitoids are to be developed.
3. Laboratory efficacy of selected parasitoids should be tested against key insect pests of Agro-forestry tree species.
B. Applied Biological Control:
1. Biological control should be applied against some selected key insect pests.
2. Mass multiplication of selected parasitoids should also be carried out.
3. Trials on field efficacy should be carried out.
4. Biological control is to be applied as a component of IPM.
During the questionnaire session, many students and researchers asked their doubts/questions that were satisfactorily replied by Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Yousuf. He also provided his contact details for further queries.
The Webinar ended with a speech delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Devendra Pathak, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of University on the importance of biological control in sustainable agriculture. He appreciated the efforts made by the faculty members of SOA for organizing this webinar. He anticipated that it will be guiding the ongoing and future research work on the biological control of insect pests in Uttaranchal University. He thanked the Guest Speaker, Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Yousuf and all the participants.
The Webinar ended with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, HOD-SOA.
