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Not AvailableAbstract Phytophthora, the ubiquitous stramenopile phytopathogen is a major threat to several economically important horticultural crops including spices and plantation crops. Trans-seasonal survival of Phytophthora in plant debris and soil continuum has considerable epidemiological significance as the quiescent propagules often serve as primary foci of infection with inherent potential to trigger epiphytotics in the succeeding season favoured by conducive environmental conditions. Hence, early and rapid detection of over summering propagules is highly imperative to manage Phytophthora-induced diseases efficiently and economically. Twelve isolates representing different species of Phytophthora (P. capsici, P. tropicalis, P. palmivora. P. citrophthora and P. meadii) representing hosts such as black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, coconut, arecanut and cocoa were used to develop nucleic acid-based diagnostic tools viz., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real-time LAMP. Phytophthora genus-specific primers were designed from the conserved region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Each of the assays was specific and detected different species of Phytophthora and not other pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium vexans, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and plant samples. Sensitivity assays indicated that, real-time PCR detected Phytophthora upto 1.3 fg, followed by LAMP (13 fg) and PCR (13 pg).Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe present investigation was conducted to study the lethal effect of insecticides recommended for management of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis spp. on bio-control agent, Trichoderma harzianum. Effect of six insecticides (Bifenthrin 10% EC, Clothianidin 50% WDG, Flonicamid 50% WG, Imidacloprid 17.8% SL, Thiamethoxam 25% WG and Quinalphos 25% EC) with three doses (lower, recommended and higher) on colony growth, antagonism potential and sporulation of Trichoderma harzianum were studied. Quinalphos 25% EC showed high inhibitory effect in all three doses. Recommended dose of Quinalphos caused 72.77, 58.18 and 97.16 per cent reduction in mean colony growth, antagonism potential and sporulation of Trichoderma harzianum respectively. Slight deleterious effect in highest dose (150 ppm) of Bifenthrin 10% EC was recorded with 13.33, 5 and 9.83 percent inhibition in mean colony growth, antagonism potential and sporulation respectively. All other insecticides under investigation were found non toxic at all three doses and were at par with control which indicated the compatibility of these insecticides with Trichoderma harzianum. All the compatible insecticides can be utilized in Integrated Pest Management programme with recommended doses along with Trichoderma harzianum without causing any deleterious effect.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePresent study was carried to access the major storage insect pests complex of arecanut, a survey was carried out in 30 different arecanut godowns at coastal region of Karnataka during May, 2017. Among the major storage insect pests recorded, flat grain beetle Cryptolestes pusillus (Schönherr) was most serious with 58.33 per cent infestation followed by cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) with 21.74 per cent infestation, palm seed borer Coccotrypes carpophagus (Hornung) with 13.58 per cent infestation, coffee bean weevil Araecerus fasciculatus with 5.34 per cent infestation (DeGeer) and red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum with 0.9 per cent infestation (Herbst). Grade wise (fresh nuts = less than one year old stored nuts; single chole = more than one year old stored nuts; double chole = more than two year old stored nuts; and patora = cracked nuts of one year old storage) per cent damage of insect pests were also recorded during this study. Highest per cent damage recorded in patora (45 per cent) followed by fresh nuts (35.22 per cent), double chole (25.55 per cent) and single chole (14 per cent). Predatory anthocorid bug Xylocoris flavipes feeding on different stages of flat grain beetle Cryptolestes pusillus was recorded during study.Not Availabl