School of Agriculture (SOA), Uttaranchal University organized a one day workshop on ‘Identification of Insect-pest of Agricultural Crops’ on 14th March, 2023 for the UG and PG students of Agriculture in SOA building premises. The programme was started with a welcome note by Prof. (Dr.) Mahipal Singh, Dean, SOA. He extended his gratitude and explained the need for skill development for identification of insect pests of agricultural crops. He further suggested the use of chemical free agents and methods of organic farming in controlling such harmful pests. He also suggested the conservation of useful insects that are always important for conservation of the environment.
The expert speaker, Dr. Adiya Patel explained to the student participants about the insect pests systematics used in agriculture. He described a series of manuals and keys for identification of insect pests of different orders. He explained different parts of plants' damaged by insects, morphology, life cycle, reproduction, and dispersal behavior of common insect pests of crops like paddy, millets, sugarcane, brinjal, okra, cotton etc. grown locally and suggested appropriate methods to control them. Dr. Patel also elaborated on the methods of collection of the aerial, vegetative, and soft bodied insects by aerial net, swipe net, aquatic net and aspirator, respectively. He demonstrated the method of pining, mounting and preserving insects for their systematic study. Mr. Jyanti Ballabh explained the cultural and agronomical practices can be used to control the insect pest population below economic threshold level (ETL). Dr. Mohsin Ikram explained specific damages by larval stage of specific species of insects that feed on plants’ roots, stem, leaves, flower, fruits or seeds resulting in stunted growth, poor tillering, drying of plants, etc. He described how feeding behaviors and mouth parts of an insect can be used to identify them. He suggested many modifications in cropping systems to manage insect pests naturally.
The participants were asked their doubts during the questionnaire session coordinated by Dr. Rachna Juyal. All doubts of students were clarified by expert speakers. The programme ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Rachna Juyal followed by distribution of certificates to all participants.
