Biopesticide developed for spice crops

Scientists at the Gurugram-based Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technological innovation (IPFT ) jointly with their counterparts at the Ajmer-based National Analysis Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS), a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Agricultural Analysis, a new biopesticide for spice crops these kinds of as fenugreek, cumin and coriander.

The biopesticide formulation, geared up employing fungus Verticillium lecanii, is extremely powerful in managing a variety of insects uncovered in seed spice crops, explained IPFT director, Jitendra Kumar, explained in a assertion on Friday. IPFT is a analysis centre less than the Department of Chemical substances and Petrochemicals in the Ministry of Chemical substances and Fertilizers.

The seed spices crops go through main losses due to a variety of insects. For managing the insects, massive quantities of artificial chemical pesticides are used in these crops, ensuing in greater concentrations of pesticide residues in seed spices, top to pitfalls for human health and fitness and ecosystem.

This bio-pesticide, for which a patent application is by now filed, might be used as a safer choice to chemical pesticides to minimise pesticide residue problem, the assertion explained.