Mixing Ratio Optimization of Silkworm, Mealworm, and White Grub Using Response Surface Methodology

Purpose: In this study, the optimal mixing ratio of total branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, antioxidant activities, and enzyme activities of silkworm, mealworm, and white grub, which are alternative protein sources, was derived using response surface analysis.Method: Silkworm, mealworm, and white grub were the independent variables, and total BCAA content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, ABTS radical scavenging activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and ACE inhibitory activity were used as the dependent variables to determine the optimal mixing ratio.Result: The optimal mixing ratio for total BCAA content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, antioxidant activities, and enzyme activities derived from the response surface analysis was silkworm (X1) 2.998 : mealworm (X2) 0.623 : white grub (X3) 1.983. At this ratio, the total BCAA content was 0.52 g, the total unsaturated fatty acid content was 0.44 g, the total polyphenol content was 67.02 mg TAE/g, the total flavonoid content was 35.58 mg QE/g, the ABTS radical scavenging activity was 95.61%, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was 37.79%, and the ACE inhibitory activity was 95.25%.Conclusion: It is expected that the optimal mixing ratio of silkworm, mealworms, and white grub derived in this study can be used to develop products for the management of various chronic diseases.

The impact of white grub infestation on sengon plantation and traditional control by local communities

White grub causes severe crop failure in some sengon plantation areas. However, study regarding this pest on sengon plantations is still limited. Therefore, a survey to observe cultivation practice by local farmers in controlling white grub has been carried out in the sengon plantation area. An interview regarding the impact of white grub infestation and its traditional control methods was also carried out with the forest farmers group and the management officer of Perum Perhutani, State-Owned Forest Corporation, to observe the farmer’s knowledge regarding white grubs and their impact on the plantation. In addition, we also carried out sampling to observe the white grub population. The result showed that the average white grub population in the soil was extremely high. The average population was at 20.9 individuals plot−1 (13.6 larvae m2 -1) and dominated by 6-8 cm in length larvae. Therefore, planting failure is expected due to its attack. The local farmer controls applying marang, a rice bowl made of plastic with a small hole on all sides when planting the tree, and collecting white grub larvae during soil tillage, using light trapping. Application of marang was considered to effectively increase the success in planting activity by about 80-90%.

VALUE-CHAIN ANALYSIS OF GINGER SUB-SECTOR IN SOLUKHUMBU DISTRICT, NEPAL

Survey research was carried out on Value Chain Analysis of Ginger Sub-Sector in Solukhumbu district with an objective of finding the value chain of ginger in Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Household level data from 60 household from Necha-Salyan rural municipality and Thulung Dudhkoshi rural municipality were sampled using random sampling technique. Few Local traders, wholesaler and retailers were also interviewed. Average area under ginger cultivation was found 2.35 ropani. Average cost of production per ropani was Rs. 14450.38 and majority of production cost of the production was covered by seed. The productivity of ginger in study area was 8.22 Mt/ha which was lower than national average and higher than the district productivity. The average price of the fresh ginger was Rs. 85.63/kg and Rs.200/kg for the dried ginger. Price fluctuation, lack of proper market, white grub, rhizome rot, lack of road access were the major problems for ginger grower in Solukhumbu District. Despite many problems, ginger cultivation in the study area was profitable business with B/C ratio 2.37 and B/C ratio of dried ginger was 1.13. Most of the sampled farmers were involved in the farming for their livelihood. Improved cultivation practices with recommended variety, timely plantation and seed treatment, simple processing like cleaning, sorting and grading are of immediate need to generate additional income to the producer.

Biodiversity of white grub, (Coleoptera: Scaraeidae) in semi arid agro-ecosystem of Rajasthan

White grubs are the major insect pests of cultivated plants in semi arid agro-ecosystem of Rajasthan. It is important to understand diversity, abundance and distribution of scarabaeid beetles for planning effective pest management programme. The experimental data were collected from nine locations in three different ecosystems in Kharif season of year 2019. Species identification revealed that there was total nine species were recorded from 18885 specimens collected. The identified species were belongs under two subfamilies of Scarabaeidae family. Maximum specimens were collected in the month of July from selected sites. When species diversity was compared among different locations, it was found that Shannon Wiener diversity index varied from 1.235 to 1.095, which indicates that species were less diverse but frequently present. The present study can be used to formulate the integrated pest management strategies based on most abundance and diverse scarabaeids in semi-arid agro-ecosystem of Rajasthan.

Biology of white grub Anomala dimidiata (Hope) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in agricultural ecosystem, Doon Valley, (U.K.), India

Present study was carried out to know the biology of white grub Anomala dimidiata (Hope) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) collected from agricultural ecosystem with reference ecological conditions of Doon Valley. Anomala dimidiata (Hope) is a dominant species among the scarabaeid beetles and commonly distributed throughout India. Emergence of beetle is begun at the end of May when first pre-monsoon rain occurred, but peak emergence was observed in the second and third week of July after heavy rainfall. Maximum numbers of beetles were trapped during second and third week of July. Grubs were found throughout the year, causing severe damage to host plants. The males of this species show marked territorial behavior and chase the intruding conspecific females. During the study period, it was observed that the eggs are elongated, cylindrical and laid in clusters in. The observed copulation period was 40.0±14.14 min. The oviposition period was 8.0±1.41 days. The incubation period of eggs was 14.60±0.72 days. Larval period remained for 248 to 278 days. The pupal stage lasts for 14.70±0.62 days. The adult female is broadly oval, less convex shape and slightly larger than male. The stage lasts for 27.75±4.74 days.

Evaluation of insecticidal seed treatments against white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard infesting groundnut

Field experiment on evaluation of insecticidal seed treatments against white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard infesting groundnut was conducted during kharif 2018 and 2019 at farmers field. The nine insecticides evaluated as seed treatment against white grub infesting groundnut, the lowest per cent plant morality and number of grub/m2 was observed in treatment of clothianidin 50 WDG @ 2 g a.i. /kg and imidacloprid 40 + fipronil 40 WG @ 3 g a.i. /kg. These treatments were produced 2329 and 2296 yield of pod, 3970 & 3780 kg/ha yield of halum, respectively. Increased in yield over control in these treatments was recorded 57.79 and 55.56 per cent in pod, 76.29 and 64.65 per cent in halum. Whereas avoidable yield loss recorded of these treatments was recorded 36.63 and 35.71 per cent in pod, 43.27 and 39.27 per cent in halum. However, the highest 1:28.32 NICRB was recorded in treatment of chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 30 ml a.i. /kg. The NICRB of clothianidin 50 WDG @ 2 g a.i. /kg and imidacloprid 40 + fipronil 40 WG @ 3 g a.i. /kg were recorded 1:14.95 and 1:9.20, respectively. The evaluated insecticides had no adverse effect on seed germination

Area wide management of white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard through IPM modules in groundnut

Field experiments were conducted on groundnut for white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard management using different IPM components in Gujarat during kharif 2018 and 2019. Two different eco-friendly modules were evaluated and compare with farmers practices. In Module I included on set of monsoon, spraying of chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 0.04% on surrounding trees, seed treatment of chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 20 ml/kg, Placement of aggregation pheromone on host tree (5 block/tree), Soil application of Beauveria bassiana @ 5 kg ha-1 (Min. 2 x 106 CFU/g) + castor cake (250 kg ha-1) before sowing, Application of B. bassiana @ 5 kg ha-1 in plant row with FYM (250 kg ha-1) after 30 days of germination. While Module II used Metarhizium anisopliae instead of B. bassiana. While in farmers practices included application of chlorpyriphos 10 G @ 10 kg ha-1 with urea at initiation of pest attack. Among the evaluated two ecofriendly module and farmers practices the lowest per cent plant mortality (3.03 %) and 0.56 grub/m2 was recorded in Module II. The highest pod and halum yield 2180 and 3942 kg ha-1, yield increase over control 31.00 and 39.37 %, avoidable loss 23.67 and 28.25% was recorded in module II. The maximum (32474 Rs/ha) net realization was found in the treatment of Module II. Looking to the NICBR, the highest (1:5.35) return was obtained with the treatment of Module II followed by Module I (1:2.93)