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The primary objective of this product/technology is to popularize (Technology transfer) the use bacterial-based volatile attractant formulations for sucking pest management in cotton among farmers

Sucking pests (SP) cause significant yield and quality losses in cotton. Farmers largely depend on conventional insecticide groups to manage these pests, which, upon continuous use, result in pest resistance to insecticides, resurgence of minor pests, decline of natural enemies, and environmental pollution. Although yellow sticky traps (YSTs) have been popularly used as mechanical control options for SP management, further enhancements in pest attraction to YSTs will be useful. In this present situation, an alternative ecofriendly and cost-effective SP management approach is necessary. ICAR-CICR has developed bacterial-based attractant formulations, which, on a three-year large-scale multi-location evaluation, proved to manage sucking pests of cotton through their attraction toward YST. The attractant formulations ICAR-CICR-BVW, ICAR-CICR-BVJ, ICAR-CICR-BVA, and ICAR-CICR-BVT recorded attraction efficiencies of 168%, 197%, 189%, and 175% over control (only YST) for whiteflies, jassids, aphids, and thrips, respectively. Further, a novel bacterial-based attractant formulation that enhances the attraction of beneficial insects to cotton fields by 268% was developed. The attractant is eco-friendly and cost-effective, does not cause any harmful effects on cotton plants, soil nutrient status, and soil biology, and can reduce chemical usage and pest resurgence in cotton. ICAR-CICR received four patents for these attractant formulations [whitefly (541777), aphids (553413), thrips (554409), and beneficial insects (546146)], and technology proposal has been submitted to Agrinnovate for commercialization). In the era of the promotion of non-chemical agriculture, the applicability of attractant formulations in agriculture has great potential to reduce cultivation cost and environmental protection. Nevertheless, these attractant technologies must reach farmers.

T7-T8

1. An ecofriendly and cost-effective pest management option for crops.

2. Limiting resistance development in pests to insecticides and pest resurgence in crops.

3. Reducing environmental pollution and restoring soil health.

4. Reducing cost of cultivation and increasing farm income and farmer livelihood.

1. An ecofriendly and cost-effective pest management option for crops.

2. Limiting resistance development in pests to insecticides.

3. Avoiding pest resurgence in crops.

4. Reducing environmental pollution and restoring soil health.

5. Reducing cost of cultivation 6. Enhancing farm income and farmer livelihood.

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