Bio-pesticides may emerge as alternative to endosulfan

Last Updated : 01 July 2011 at 18:00 IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Commodity Online): Central Tuber Crops Research Institute in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has successfully developed bio-pesticide and cattle fodder from tapioca leaves. This development holds the potential to bring down the use of chemical pesticides, eventually, and can also provide livestock with nutrient-rich fodder.

Dr.C.A.Jayaprakash and his research team from Crop Protection Division of the institute have also crossed a milestone by setting up a plant that yields the pesticide. On a unit basis, eight litres of bio-pesticides can be obtained from a kilogram of tapioca leaves.

“We have identified 2000 plant varieties that can yield bio-pesticides...”, said Jayaprakash brimming with energy.

“But extractability of many of them is an issue. So is the economics...”he clarified. Unlike tapioca leaves, that yields eight litres of pesticide from one kilogram of leaves; other plant leaves may not be good when it comes to extraction of pesticides.

“The pesticide developed is effective against borer pests—variety that bores holes in plants—and should be poured into the holes drilled by pests. Later the hole is sealed. Bio-fumigation occurs as a result, and the pests perish.”said Dr.Jayaprakash.

“But this variety of bio-pesticide cannot be sprayed...”he explained.

To serve the spraying purpose of bio-pesticides to kill pests, the research team is developing two new varieties: Shakti & Shreya. But further details regarding them were not revealed by Jayaprakash.

But he said that Shakti & Shreya is yet to be tested for its capacity to contain and eliminate pests that plague the cashew crops.”We cannot test it ourselves as our mandate allows us to carry out research only on tuber crops.” Jayaprakash said.

If such a move is carried-out effectively, one cannot rule out the possibility of getting an alternative to endosulfan.

“We are open to collaboration in this area...” he hinted.

Dr.Jayaprakash informed of the successful development of cattle fodder from tapioca leaves which have been made free of toxic content subsequent to pesticide extraction.

He pointed out that a combination of bio-pesticides and chemical pesticides would help in reducing the use of chemical-pesticide content.

As published in: http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Bio-pesticides-may-emerge-as-alternative-to-endosulfan-40453-3-1.html