16 research outputs found
Economic Performance of Bt Cotton Varieties in Pakistan
No full textFarmers in Pakistan have been growing cotton that contains the first generation of Bt gene since 2002. The cultivation of these varieties, although formally unapproved and unregulated, increased rapidly after 2005. In 2007, nearly 60 percent of the cotton area was under BT varieties. This paper examines the economic performance of Bt cotton in Pakistan based on data collected through a structured questionnaire survey in January-February 2009 in two districts (Bahawalpur and Mirpur Khas). The extent of the impact of Bt cotton on costs of production and yield gains are different across the two districts with their diverse agro-climatic conditions and pest pressures. Seed expenditures increase in both districts, but a decline in the number of bollworm sprays and hence in the expenditure for pesticides is observed and total pesticide control costs (for bollworms and non bollworm pests) declines in both districts. Total production costs decline in Bahawalpur but rise in Mirpur Khas. The yield increases are higher in Mirpur Khas as well, resulting in total revenue and gross margins improving more than in Bahawalpur. The results are similar to other studies of Bt cotton in India and suggest gains for Pakistan from progressing to a regulated national market for Bt cotton technologies.Bt cotton, economic performance, Pakistan, Bahawalpur, Mirpur Khas, Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,
Impact of Dysdercus koenigii Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pyrrhcoridae) density-dependent population on agronomic and qualitative characteristics of different transgenic cotton varieties
No full textField Evaluation of Selective Systemic Formulations against Sucking Insect Pest Complex and their Natural Enemies on a Transgenic Bt Cotton
No full textDynamics of total proteins during stress alleviation in tomato infected with cucumber mosaic virus
No full textBackground: Phytoalexins are the secondary metabolites produced in crop plants after the attack of necrotizing pathogens. They are aimed to support homeostasis in stressed plants. Proteins are also part of this regime that is manipulated according to the type of infection or environmental stress. Chemical elicitors substitute the traditional fungicides and safe to use. They also modify protein levels due to their direct or indirect influence on the defense pathways. Methodology: An in vitro study was conducted on tomato seedlings inoculated with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Plants were treated with salicylic acid and BTH at different intervals to find out the alterations in the total soluble proteins. Purpose of study was to investigate the variation in total proteins during the viral attack and role of elicitors in this case. Results: Results indicated that protein level was initially reduced (133.3 mg) in the inoculated plants prior to the application of elicitors. However, BTH alone or combined with SA significantly enhanced total soluble proteins (200.3 mg) in tomato leaves when applied on weekly intervals. Single application of Salicylic acid gave similar response as in case of non-inoculated plants, however weekly applied SA reduced the total proteins to much lower extent (83.6 mg) under the CMV stress. Discussion: Modification of total proteins in a single tomato cultivar along with homogenous environmental factors indicates the active role of chemical elicitors in the defense pathways. BTH is a structural homologue to SA but expressed a remarkable functional contrast under viral attack particularly in solanaceous crops. This novelty in plant science is worthy of discussion.</jats:p
Field appraisal of entomopathogenic fungi horizontal transmission device for entomo-vectoring of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in bitter gourd field against Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
No full textAbstract Background Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestation poses a serious risk to bitter gourd cultivation. Traditionally, B. cucurbitae has been controlled using synthetic pesticides, which have drawbacks such as non-target toxicity and pest resistance. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) provide concentrated ecological alternatives, which support ongoing pest reduction and sustainable agriculture by adhering to Integrated Pest Management principles. Therefore, EPF provides a viable alternative for chemical control of B. cucurbitae, addressing its shortcomings and promoting environmentally friendly pest control technology. This study evaluated the effectiveness of entomo-vectored horizontal transmission devices (EV-HTD) against B. cucurbitae in bitter gourd fields, focusing on GF-120 and Butanone acetate. Assessment parameters include converting fruit infestation data into yield loss per plant, marketable fruit yield per plant, marketable yield per hectare, and yield loss per hectare. Results The highest mean percentage of entomo-vectored B. cucurbitae (70.50%) was found in plots treated with Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD. This was followed by GF-120 + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD (66.18%), Butanone acetate + M. anisopliae-based EV-HTD (58.95%), and GF-120 + M. anisopliae-based EV-HTD (54.78%). The Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD produced the highest mean number of spores per B. cucurbitae (7.80 spores/cm2), while the other treatments produced low spore counts. Plots treated with Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD had the highest percentage mortality of B. cucurbitae (81.20%). The percentage of fruit infestation varied between 9.00 and 34.00%, with the least amount of infestation seen in plots treated with B. bassiana + Butanone acetate. There were minimal yield losses in Butanone acetate. The Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD showed the lowest yield losses (66.66 g/plant), while the other treatments showed high losses. Plots treated with Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD had the highest marketable yield per plant (673.87 g/plant), while yields in control treatments were low. Plots treated with Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD had the highest marketable yield (2217.85 kg/ha). Lastly, plots treated with Butanone acetate + B. bassiana-based EV-HTD (219.40 kg/ha) showed the lowest yield losses per hectare. Conclusions According to the study’s findings, Butanone acetate-based EV-HTD was more successful than GF-120. Furthermore, B. bassiana was more effective at controlling B. cucurbitae than M. anisopliae. With a maximum cost–benefit ratio of 14.99, the treatment Butanone acetate + B. bassiana was shown to be the most advantageous economically, suggesting its potential for use in practical pest management techniques
Efficacy of Beauveria Bassiana for the Management of Economically Important Wireworm Species (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Organic Farming
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