THE IMPACT OF TRANSGENIC BRINJAL FOR THE CONTROL OF LEUCINODES ORBONALIS GUENEE AND POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON NON-TARGET ARTHROPODS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is the most important vegetable crop in the Asia Pacific region, with Pakistan being the seventh largest producer. There are many biotic and abiotic factors affecting its production in terms of quantity and quality including insect pests as a significant constraint. In Pakistan, the brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis is the major insect pest of brinjal. However, some other chewing and sap-sucking insects are also essential pests. Bt-brinjal, a transgenic variety, has been introduced in India and Bangladesh for the management of lepidopteran pests. Before the commercialization of transgenic brinjal in Pakistan, it must be assessed for its effects on the environment and non-target organisms. This study is presenting the overview of transgenic brinjal as an option to manage brinjal shoot and fruit borer along with current and future challenges in areas of its commercialization.

SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE), AN INVASIVE PEST IN AGRICULTURAL CROPS AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) commonly known as fall armyworm (FAW), is a pest that invaded the sub-tropical and tropical regions of America. In 2016, it was reported for the first time in central Africa and within a year it was reported from many countries of Africa. It then spread in Asia and in 2018 it was reported in India, and now its infestation was seen in Pakistan. Its strong flight, climatic adaptableness and large host range makes it a good colonizing agent as compared to other species of Spodoptera. In potential managing strategies we must know about its primary information such as its biology, host range, habitat and favorable conditions. Identification and life cycle is the most important process in the management of this pest. IPM strategies include physical and cultural control, botanical control, biological control and chemical control. These strategies will help in management of FAW. All these aspects have been reviewed in this article.

IN-VITRO BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL AND MECHANISM OF INHIBITION OF INDIGENOUS TRICHODERMA ISOLATES FROM SOUTHEAST SULAWESI PROVINCE OF INDONESIA AGAINST SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII

Sclerotium rolfsii is an important plant pathogen and causes disease in some cultivated plants especially in Southeast Sulawesi. S. rolfsii is mainly controlled by using synthetic fungicides which are hazardous to human, livestock and environment. In the present study, eleven species of Trichoderma, indigenous to Southeast Sulawesi, were tested for their in vitro efficacy against S. rolfsii to replace deleterious fungicides. The analysis of variance showed significant results of the indigenous Trichoderma spp. against S. rolfsii. in in vitro test. All the Trichoderma isolates inhibited the growth of the test fungus differently. After three days of inoculation, ST1 treatment showed the highest inhibitory ability by 55.56% but was not significantly different from the inhibitory abilities of ST2, ST3, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST9, ST10, and ST11 treatments. The treatment ST4 and ST8 gave inhibitory abilities by 25.22% and 26.11% respectively. Furthermore, the data after 4, 5, 6 and 7 days after inoculation were also significant. The ST1 (DKT isolate) treatment gave the maximum inhibition of the test fungus after all the time intervals of seven days. On the other hand, ST8 (LKP isolate) treatment gave the lowest inhibitory ability. DKT isolate of indigenous Trichoderma had the highest inhibitory ability reaching to 55.56% on third days of observation while LKP isolate had the lowest inhibitory ability of 16.67% and then decreased subsequently. the antagonistic mechanisms of Trichoderma isolates were space and nutrition competition, antibiosis, and mycoparasitism. These results showed that Trichoderma indigenous to Southeast Sulawesi had better in vitro inhibitory ability to control S. rolfsii by the above-mentioned mechanisms.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOMATO LEAF CURL VIRUS AND ITS MANAGEMENT

The tomato crop is affected by various biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (TLCV) is one of the most devastating viruses of tomato. The virus belongs to Begomovirus and family Gemniniviridae. The genome of virus is single-stranded-DNA. It is naturally transmitted through whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The virus is responsible for causing severe economic losses up to 80% in tomato crop-growing regions and continuously threatening the tomato crops. The increasing severity of TLCV has compelled plant virologists to develop accurate detection and identification of the virus. TLCV is responsible for certain biochemical changes and considerably affecting the plant growth. Tomato Leaf Curl Virus is significantly influenced physiological parameters and metabolic activities of all tomato varieties. The biochemical changes of cellular components are caused due to morphological deviation of infected virus plants, and symptoms expressed by the plants can determine the magnitude of the vegetable losses. It is evident from the previous reports, that nutrients were effective in reducing TLCV from a tomato plant. Moreover, the usage of resistant varieties and controlling of whitefly population and management of TLCV by different nutrients are some of the economical and recommendable ways to manage TLCV. Among the organic management strategies, the compost is also considered best in suppressing disease severity. Moreover, epidemiology plays a vital role in the spread and progress of the disease. Keeping in view the importance of TLCV and its effects on tomato crop, the present review will highlight the etiology, physiology and management of TLCV.

EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF PASTEURIA PENETRANS ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH VERTICILLIUM CHLAMYDOSPORIUM AGAINST MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA

The potential control of Meloidogyne javanica using Pasteuria penetrans (Pp) alone and in combination with Verticillium chlamydosporium (Vc) was tested in earthen pots following a cropping sequence "tomato-tomato-tomato” over three crop cycles. After the final harvesting, analysis of variance showed significant effect of treatments (P0.01) regarding number of eggmasses, galls and nematode female populations. Similarly, significant effect of treatments (P0.01) was also recorded in case of infected nematode females with Pasteuria and number of eggs/eggmass while no significant effect (P 0.0 5) was observed in case of endospore production. Higher numbers of eggmasses (360) and root galling (6.2) was observed where biocontrol agents were absent (control). The treatments showed 46.58, 58.85 and 33.13 percent reduction in number of galls, eggmasses and nematodes in Pp alone and 43.34, 55.21 and 30.09 percent reductions in Vc+Pp treatments respectively. Numbers of females infected with the endospores of P. penetrans were recorded higher in Pp-3 alone treatment (13.2) followed by Vc+Pp combined treatment (13.0) and maize rotated treatment (10.4) respectively. Significantly lesser number of eggmasses, galls and nematodes were recorded in pots where tomato was rotated with maize (treatment 3) compared with control. Thus rotation prevented the buildup of nematode population and resulted in a 72% decrease in numbers of eggmasses, 38% in root galling and 46% regarding female populations over the control after the final harvest. Maximum colony forming units of V. chlamydosporium per gram of soil were recorded after its addition to the soil. The fungus established in the soil during the first crop and soil colonization of the fungus was also observed after final crop.

EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT INSECTICIDES AGAINST CYDIA POMONELLA INFESTATION FROM APPLE ORCHARDS IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella Linn.) is a serious pest of apple and other stone fruits and causes serious economic damage. Present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides against C. pomonella infestation in Gilgit-Baltistan. In case of cypermethrin, maximum infestation (7.3, 6.3 and 6) was recorded after ten days of first, second and third spray. After this, infestation started decreasing to reach to the minimum (2.3, 1.6 and 1.3) after 30 days of first, second and third spray. Lambda showed the minimum infestation (3.3, 2.6 and 1.6) after 30 days of first, second and third spray. In case of neem seed oil, maximum infestation (8.0, 7.0 and 6.3) was estimated after 10 days of first, second and third spray. Minimum infestation (3.0, 2.6 and 2.3) was recorded after 30 days of first, second and third spray. Before spray, maximum fruit infestation rate was observed and it started decreasing after first spray and minimum infestation was recorded after the third spray and same trend was seen in case of days. This trend was observed with all insecticides i.e. cypermethrin, lambda and neem seed oil. Infestation was recorded as decreasing with the passage of time and maximum was after ten days while minimum was recorded after 30 days with all treatments. There was significant difference of fruit infestation among the first, second and third spray and among the results after 10, 20 and 30 days of sprays. Present results showed that before spray all fields had maximum fruit infestation caused by codling moth and infestation rate decreased after the treatments. It is concluded that cypermthrin is the most favorable insecticides for local apple former of this region to control codling moth infestation.

Efficacy of new chemistry insecticides on the haemocytes of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus, under laboratory conditions

In the present study, four new chemistry insecticides (Radiant, Chlorfenapyr, Belt and Match) were used to evaluate the haemocytological activity of Chilo partellus. LC50 and LC60 values of each insecticide were calculated by bioassay test. After the application of Radiant insecticide, the total haemocytes count immediately increased (78548.5 cells/mm3) as compared to normal (71255 cells/mm3), however, after 30 minutes decreased to (71694 cells/mm3) and after 60 minutes of interval, the total haemocytes count again increased (80215 cell/mm3). Percent plasmotcytes increased from untreated to 26%, while the spherulocytes, granulocytes, prohaemocytes and cystocytes also fluctuated from the untreated as 26%, 6.75%, 33% and 3.75% respectively. After the application of Chlorfenpyr insecticide, the total Haemocytes count immediately increased (80920.75 cells/mm3) as compared to normal (71255 cells/mm3), however after 30 minutes decreased to (71155 cells/mm3) and after 60 minutes, the total haemocytes count again increased (84100 cell/mm3). Percent plasmotcytes increased from untreated to 36%, while the spherulocytes, granulocytes, prohaemocytes and cystocytes also fluctuated from the untreated to 23.5%, 5.5%, 29% and 1.5% respectively. After the application of Belt insecticide, the total haemocytes count immediately increased (87200 cells/mm3) as compared to normal (71255 cells/mm3) and after 30 minutes decreased (71270 cells/mm3) and after 60 minutes, the total haemocytes count again increased (89640 cell/mm3). Percent plasmotcytes increased from untreated to 36%, while the spherulocytes, granulocytes, prohaemocytes and cystocytes also fluctuated from the untreated to 32.5%, 8.5%, 17.25% and 4.75% respectively. After the application of Match insecticide, the total haemocytes count immediately increased (87500 cells/mm3) as compared to normal (72155 cells/mm3) while after 30 minutes decreased (72190 cells/mm3) and after 60 minutes, the total haemocytes count again increased (99800 cell/mm3). Percent plasmotcytes increased from untreated to 33%, while the spherulocytes, granulocytes, prohaemocytes and cystocytes also fluctuated from the untreated to 31%, 14%, 23% and 4% respectively.

Toxicity of green silver nanoparticles of plant extracts against citrus mealybug Planococcus citri

Planococcus citri is an economically important polyphagous insect pest and is a serious threat to horticultural crops especially mango and citrus. It is mainly controlled by synthetic insecticides which have deleterious effects on humans, livestock and environment. To dispense with the detrimental consequences of insecticides, plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles can be potential alternatives. The present study reports the effectiveness of four plant extracts and their silver based nanoparticles against P. citri. All the plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles caused mortalities of 2nd and 3rd instars of P. citri at all concentrations and exposure durations. The ginger extracts and their silver nanoparticles caused maximum mortality of 2nd and 3rd instars of P. citri (94 and 90% respectively) at the highest concentration after 72 hours followed by neem extracts and their silver nanoparticles. Similarly, the mortalities caused by garlic silver nanoparticles followed the similar pattern. Eucalyptus plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles were found to be the lease effective. It was also observed that with an increase in concentration and exposure period, the mortality also increased showing a direct relationship. Ginger plant extract and their silver nanoparticles gave the best results and lowest LC50 values by a large margin. Neem extracts ranked second followed by garlic and eucalyptus and gave significantly poor results as compared to the first two plants. The required concentration for killing 50% of the nymphal population was observed to decrease with the passage of time.

Management of Aedes aegypti using green silver nanoparticles and botanical extracts

The excessive use of insecticides has led to development of resistance in Aedes aegypti and negative impact on environment and non-target organisms. To overcome these problems, emphasis is being laid for alternatives, therefore, in the present study, the toxicity of eight plant extracts and their green synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated against A. aegypti. Clove extracts caused the maximum mortalities of 92% and 90% of 3rd and 4th instar larvae of A. aegypti followed by ginger causing 90% and 78% mortalities respectively. On the other hand, the minimum mortalities of these larvae were caused by neem and garlic extracts. In case of green silver nanoparticles, the maximum mortalities of 3rd and 4th instar larvae of A. aegypti were caused by clove followed by ginger while the minimum mortalities were caused by nanoparticles of datura followed by garlic. All the green silver nanoparticles caused mortalities of both the instars of the mosquito above 80% with few exceptions. Datura extracts showed the minimum LC50 values after 72 hours of application followed by neem against the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of A. aegypti. The highest LC50 value was observed in case of ginger followed by clove and eucalyptus. In case of silver nanoparticles, the minimum LC50 values after 72 hours were recorded in case of datura, neem and garlic while the values were the maximum in case of clove and ginger. The LC50 values decreased with the passage of time.

Mycofloral study of cultivated maize seed in district Poonch Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The current study was carried out on the prevalence of mycoflora associated with maize seeds using blotter paper method. Maize seed samples were collected from six different locations of district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Objective of this study was to determine the fungi associated with maize seeds. A total of seven species of fungi were isolated. Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Fusarium spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium spp., were identified. Davigali had the infection percentage of 72 % in all locations. Occurrence frequency and type of fungi isolated varied with location. Prevalence of pathogenic fungi with maize seeds of district Poonch was found variable. Resistant varieties of maize, maintaining temperature, relative humidity and their treatment is suggested to reduce disease and increase yield.