Hands-on Training program on the Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents for Suppression of Invasive Whiteflies

23^rd – 25^th January 2023, Bengaluru

A Hands-on training program on “Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents for Suppression of Invasive Whiteflies” was organized by ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru (23 – 25 January 2023) to disseminate the biocontrol technologies developed at the bureau to control the recent invasive whiteflies infesting coconut.

The training was a part of the Coconut Development Board, Kochi funded project “Development and Validation of Bio-intensive Integrated Pest Management strategies for Coconut Invasive Whiteflies in Karnataka”.

Dr. S.C. Dubey, Assistant Director General (PP&B), stressed the importance of disseminating such biocontrol technologies to stakeholders and farmers to reduce the menace. of invasive whiteflies.

Dr. S.N. Sushil, Director, ICAR-NBAIR interacted with trainees and sensitized about the biological control of invasive whiteflies through bio-control agents. He also urged the trainees to disseminate these technologies to growers for the sustainable management of these invasive whiteflies.

Mass production protocols of potential natural enemies viz., parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae and Encarsia cubensis; Predator, Apertochrysa astur and entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria fumosorosea (ICAR-NBAIR Pfu-5) for their large-scale augmentation and application were taught during the training.

Extension officials of the state line departments, subject matter specialists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and ,plant protection officers of Central integrated pest management center (CIPMC) participated in the training.

(Source: ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru)