Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore organized a one-day training programme on “Mass Production of Parasitoids and Predators” at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, TNAU, Coimbatore on 18.10.2024.
Biocontrol method is a component in Integrated Pest Management i.e., Utilization of parasitoids and predators for the management of crop pests. The usage of harmful chemical pesticides can be reduced by using different natural enemies for the protection of crops from pest menace. A special focus was given in the training for the mass production of parasitoids and predators against coconut pests and cassava mealybug. The training was initiated by Dr.M.Murugan, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Entomology. The different parasitoids and its mass production techniques were dealt in detail by Dr.G.Preetha, Associate Professor (Entomology).
This was followed by the visit to Corcyra laboratory and Dr.Y.S.Johnson Thangaraj Edward, Professor (Entomology) explained about the mass culturing of the host insect, rice moth and provided hands on training. Later, they were taken to the parasitoid laboratory and hands on training was given on its mass production. The mass production of predators was elaborated by Dr. M. Alagar, Assistant Professor (Entomology) and demonstrated its production techniques. Later management of cassava mealybug by parasitoid was explained clearly by Dr.P.A.Saravanan, Associate Professor (Entomology).
Dr. R. Thamizh Vendhan, Registrar, TNAU and Dr. M. Shanthi, Director, CPPS participated in the training and distributed the training certificate to the participants. Twenty-five Horticulture officers from different districts participated in the training and got benefitted.