G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology has been pioneer in research and popularization of biological control of plant diseases in India. In 2006,Government of India declared Biocontrol Lab, Pantnagar as ‘Central Insecticide Lab’ in respect of biopesticides (The Gazette of India G.S.R. 756(E); No. 17-6/2006-PP.I). Four formulations of biocontrol agents have been developed for the control of for the management of plant pathogenic microorganisms viz., Pant Bio-control Agent (T. harzianum), Pant Bio-control Agent 2 (P.fluorescens), Pant Bio-control Agent -3 (consortium of T.harzianum+P. fluorescens) and Pant Bio-control Agent -4(consortium of two strains of P. fluorescens)
Under All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control, large scale demonstrations on Biocontrol technologies were conducted at farmers’ fields in distt.U.S.Nagar & Nainital. Capacity building and awareness creation amongst the farmers was carried out by demonstrating the method of application of bio- pesticides in crops, distribution of inputs, trainings, gosthies and regular visits at farmers field. For popularizing the benefits of biocontrol agents, more than 250 quintals of quality biocontrol agent was mass produced in Biocontrol Lab, and distributed to practicing farmers. Through the adoption of biocontrol technologies farmers were able to reduce their cost of production substantially and minimized losses due to pests and diseases resulting in increased benefit-cost ratio and a healthy crop.
Technologies demonstrated
1. A Common Minimum Programme with following interventions:
- Plastic mulching (Soil solarization) of nursery beds: It is a low-cost technique to reduce losses due to soil borne insect pests and diseases of the nursery.
- Preparation and use of vermicompost: Vermicompost is more nutritious than traditionally used undecomposed
FYM and gets ready in lesser time. It reduces the cost of production, increases plant health and improves fertility and water holding capacity of the soil. - Use of bioagents: They are a better alternative by virtue of being environment friendly, cost effective, safe for humans and animals and improving soil health.
Read more: https://gbpuat.ac.in/success_story/14.11.2019_Success_Story.pdf
Original link: https://gbpuat.ac.in/
