Breakthrough: IPFT develops Bio-Pesticide for insect control in seed spice crops

• IPFT has developed bio-pesticides for insect control in seed spice crops

• IPFT's bio-pesticides formulation is said to be a safe alternative to chemical pesticides

New Delhi: The Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT ) and ICAR- National Research Center on Seed Spices (NRCSS), Ajmer, Rajasthan have successfully developed new aqueous suspension formulation technology, which is bio-pesticide based on entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii. IPFT's bio-pesticides formulation is said to be an equally effective and safer alternative to chemical pesticides. IPFT operates under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Patent application filed

Director of IPFT Jitendra Kumar has confirmed that bio-pesticide formulation has been found very effective in controlling various insects in seed spice crops like fenugreek, cumin, and coriander. The bio-pesticides formulation has a good shelf life, safe to user & environment and it may be effectively used for controlling different agricultural insects especially in seed spice crops. "Patent application for the formulation has been filed," said Jitendra Kumar.

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Solution to a major problem

According to a press statement released by IPFT, the seed spices crops suffer major losses due to various insects. For controlling the insects, large amounts of synthetic chemical pesticides are used in these crops, resulting in higher levels of pesticide residues in seed spices, this leads to risks for human health and environment. This bio-pesticides may be used as a safer alternative to chemical pesticides to minimize pesticide residue problem. Besides, it may be used as key input for crop protection from insects pest in organic agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.

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