Projects
- Characterization and synthesis of female sex pheromone of Tea Mosquito Bug; (Helopeltis antonii) and its bioassay (10/2020-09/2025)
Dr. T N Raviprasad, Dr. K. Vanitha & Dr. K. Subaharan - Assessing the field effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and indigenous strain of entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) in management of cashew stem and root borers (Plocaederus ferrugineus and Plocaederus obesus) (09/2021-08/2026)
Dr. T N Raviprasad, Dr. K. Vanitha & Dr. Rajkumar - Species complex of thrips infesting cashew, their role and management measures (09/2022-09/2025)
Dr. K. Vanitha, Dr. Rachana, R.R., Dr. T.N. Raviprasad, Dr. Rajashekara, H & Dr. Mohana G.S. - Development of an eco-friendly and cost-effective pest management strategy for cashew using plant and microbial-based pesticides (09/2024-09/2028)
Dr. K. Vanitha, Dr. T.N. Raviprasad, Dr. K. Velmourougane, Dr. A. Kandan, and Dr. Rajashekara, H - Survey and diagnosis of diseases occurring in cashew through morphological and molecular characterisation and their management (09/2021-08/2027)
Dr. H. Rajashekara, Dr. T.N. Raviprasad, Dr. Siddanna Savadi & Dr. RTP Pandian - Deciphering the role of core floral microbiome in enhancing productivity in cashew (10/2024-08/2027)
Dr. H. Rajashekara, Dr. Vanitha K & Dr. Veena G.L.
Externally funded projects
- RKVY Project: Establishment of farmer-centric pest diagnostic and bio-control laboratory to achieve sustainable cashew health management (04/2022 – 03/2024)
Dr. Rajashekara H., Dr. Vanitha. K, Dr. T.N. Raviprasad & Dr. Siddanna Savadi - RKVY Project: Establishment of state-of-the-art facilities for chemical ecology studies targeting eco-friendly pest management and demonstration in cashew (05/2024-05/2026)
Dr. Vanitha K., Dr. T.N. Raviprasad, Dr. Veena G.L., Dr. H. Rajashekara, Dr. Thondaiman V & Dr. Babli Mog
Salient Achievements
- Standardized laboratory rearing methodologies for the following insects and natural enemies
- Tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis spp.) on cashew shoots
- Cashew stem and root borer (Plocaederus spp.) on cashew bark
- Cashew stem and root borer (Plocaederus spp.) on semi-synthetic diet
- Reduviid bug species using wax moth larvae as prey
- Praying mantid species using wax moth larvae as prey
- Varietal resistance A mid-season flowering variety which escapes TMB damage during peak flowering and produces flowers after TMB infestation has been identified and released as ‘Bhaskara’
- Standardized laboratory rearing methodologies for the following insects and natural enemies
- Documentation of insect pests and pollinators More than 150 insect pests infesting cashew, their natural enemies and the pollinators have been documented; and the biology of major insects, natural enemies and solitary bees was studied.
- Technologies
- Semi-synthetic diet for cashew stem and root borer
- IPM strategies for TMB
- IPM strategies for cashew stem and root borer
- Artificial bee nests for Braunsapis spp.
- Other accomplishments Cashew pest database – a website giving information on various cashew pests Website on Beneficial arthropods in cashew plantations Bee conservation park for the conservation of pollinators.
Plant Pathology
- The Cashew Leaf Blight (CLB) disease caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora in nursery conditions with 25-30% disease incidence, was reported. The disease symptomology, cultural and morphological characterisation of the pathogen and multigene analysis for identification of the pathogen up to the species level were documented
- The Cashew Leaf Blight (CLB) disease caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora in nursery conditions with 25-30% disease incidence, was reported. The disease symptomology, cultural and morphological characterisation of the pathogen and multigene analysis for identification of the pathogen up to the species level were documented
- Whole genome sequencing of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora revealed a total assembled genome size of 59.25 Mb with base pair length of 60576399, N50 contig size of 129039 bp, GC content ratio of 50.05%
- Whole genome sequencing of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora revealed a total assembled genome size of 59.25 Mb with base pair length of 60576399, N50 contig size of 129039 bp, GC content ratio of 50.05%
- The seedling rot disease of cashew caused by Beltrania rhombica in nursery conditions was reported
Infrastructure facilities
- A well-equipped pest diagnostic and biocontrol laboratory with different facilities like Thermal cycler, nanodrop, refrigerated centrifuge, a gel documentation system, laminar air flow, BOD incubators, vertical autoclave, etc., through external funding was established.
- A well-equipped pest diagnostic and biocontrol laboratory with different facilities like Thermal cycler, nanodrop, refrigerated centrifuge, a gel documentation system, laminar air flow, BOD incubators, vertical autoclave, etc., through external funding was established.
- Insect-proof net house and glasshouse facilities for artificial screening of pests and diseases were built
