Events

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Date of Start

Project started on 01-01-2009

2. CIC Meetings

First CIC Meeting on February 10, 2009 (Proceedings)
Second CIC Meeting on June 3, 2009 (Proceedings)

3. CAC Meetings

First CAC Meeting on May 12, 2009 (Proceedings)
Second CAC Meeting in November, 2009

4. Launch Workshop

First Launch workshop on May 12, 2009

5. Benefit of meetings

I. Benefits of CIC Meetings

The work allocation for all the CCPIs was defined with minute details.

All the CCPIs were advised to utilize their grants through CPI, since all the CCPIs are located at 1 institute.

II. Benefit of CAC Meetings

It was recommended that the survey plan be prepared, keeping in view the pre-dominant cropping systems.

The Purchase of GPS System was recommended for surveys.

6. Technical progress

I. Benefits of CIC Meetings

Recruited 1 RA, 5 SRFs and 1 Office Assistant.
Isolated one new indigenous strain of Entomopathogenic nematode of the genus Heterorhabditis from Nagpur.
Isolated 8 new indigenous strains of symbiotic bacterium (Xenorhabdus spp.) from the entomopathogenic nematodes available in the laboratory; and characterized them morphologicallly and culturally; 2 strains characterized based on biochemical tests using BIOLOG kits; three strains were differentiated from X. indica, based on esterase, Superoxide dismutase and Malate dehydrogenase isozymic profiles.
Isolated different fractions of bacterial metabolites using polar, non polar and weekly polar solvents; and partially purified for conducting bioassays.
Among the 6 strains tested, Steinernema thermophilum was found to be the most effective for managing Helicoverpa armiger, Spodoptera litura, red cotton bugs and Bihar hairy caterpillars, causing 75-100% mortality within 48 h ; and about 20 Infective Juveniles (IJs) per insect as the LC50 dose ( lethal concentration for inducing 50% mortality).