Quinquennial Review meeting 2012-2023 of All India Network Project on Agricultural Acarology, was held in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, CPPS, TNAU, Coimbatore on 11.09.2024. Dr.M.Shanthi, Director (CPPS) delivered the inaugural address and briefed about the genesis of acarology at TNAU, objectives of AINP Acarology project, emerging mite pests of crops, screening of genotypes in chilli and rice, mass multiplication of predatory mites, development of weather-based prediction models for mite pests, pest surveillance and forecasting and research facilities available at TNAU, Coimbatore.
Dr.N.K.Krishna Kumar, Former DDG (Horticulture), chairman of the QRT in his key note address highlighted the importance of monitoring of invasive pest species, integrated management of mite pests, monitoring and management of acaricide resistance, creating awareness about the “invasive pest to farmers across the state”. He also stressed the importance of estimating crop loss in terms of monetary loss, transfer of technology to farmers and on the importance of land races which are resistance to pest and disease. He encouraged the students to occupy positions at national level. Dr.Subash Chander, Director (NCIPM), felicitated the gathering and emphasized the influence of climate change on pest outbreaks and non-chemical methods of pest management for sustainable food production.
Dr.K.Ramaraju, former Director of Research TNAU, Coimbatore, in his felicitation address narrated the occurrence of different species of mites in Tamil Nadu. Dr.C.Chinnamade Gowda, Network Coordinator, AINP on Agricultural Acarology, Dr.N.Srinivasa, Former Dean (PGS), UAS, Bangalore, Dr.Ravinder Singh Chandel, (Rtd) Professor and Head (Ento), CSKHPKV, Palampur, Dr.Arjun Singh Baloda, Network Coordinator, AINP on Soil Arthropod pests, also facilitated the gathering. Dr.M.Murugan Professor and Head (Agrl. Entomology) welcomed the gathering. Scientists, students and faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Entomology and Soil arthropod Scientists from Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore also participated in the meeting. Dr.E.Sumathi, Professor, Entomology delivered the vote of thanks.