The main object of Entomology program is to conduct research on problem oriented aspects in Cotton Entomology particularly in Sindh province with special reference to:

  • Study the population dynamics of cotton pests and their natural enemies.
  • Study the agro-eco system of cotton crop in Sindh.
  • Evaluate the resistance of newly developed strains by the Institute against sucking as well as Bollworm complexes.
  • Study the seasonal activity of Pink and Spotted Bollworm and control of Pink Bollworm with sex pheromones and sex traps.
  • Survey of cotton growing areas for recording population trend and distribution of insects pests of cotton and their natural enemies.
  • Establish pest and prey relationship during cotton season in different cotton growing districts of Sindh.
  • Test the efficiency of different candidate pesticides used in cotton crop against different pests.
  • Develop Integrated Pest Management system in Sindh.
  • Study the resistance developed by different pests against different pesticides.
  • Study the side effects of pesticides particularly on beneficial fauna.
  • Impart training in Pest Scouting and forecasting amongst growers and agriculture Extension workers at Tehsil level throughout the province.
  • Ultimate objective of the sectional study are to reduce the inputs cost and maximize the returns of the farmer.
  • To protect the environment from pollution safe guards the health of the farmers.

Achievements:

 

  • It is a regular feature of the section to test the newly developed strains of plant breeding and genetics section. During last 5 year some 21 strains were evaluated for their natural resistance against major cotton pests.
  •  Approximately 175 new products of pesticides were tested against major sucking and bollworm pest complex. The data submitted to the head office for onward transmission to the department of plant protection for products registrations.
  • NCVT’s studies are regularly being carried out. To study the comparative resistance of Different coded varieties.
  • Studies on the bio-control aspects of cotton pests are in progress with especial attention to control the white flies population.
  • Sex pheromone studies are also in progress, to incorporate the results in Integrate pest Management Program.
  • Studies are also in progress to evaluate the status of early and late plant protection strategy, to maximize the yield. Result of the experiments shows that: 22.01% yield increase (over check) was obtained from the treatment which receive 6 pesticide applications (started from 2nd week of July to 4th week of September), followed by 15.72% yield increase by 2 pesticide applications during 2nd and 4th week of August.
  • Survey of cotton crop from all main cotton growing districts of Sindh province, being conducted to formulate the agro-eco-system. Pest and their natural enemies. population is recorded to note their activity in different ecological zones. Pest control recommendations are provided on that data basis; to prevent the crop from any economic loss.
  • And Trainings.

Recommendations:

 

Changes in agro-ecosystem be given due consideration to minimize the pest loss by maintaining or encouraging the balance of natural predators and parasites.

Optimum planting dates be established which should commensurate with increased production and at the same time offer less/minimized use of chemical control.

The cropping system be so designed and regulated that they should synchronize with preserving predators and parasites population for cotton. Any cropping system should have a crop-free period for suppressing disease and pests.

Grazing of left-over bolls (after picking) by cattle to eliminate the pink boll worm leave.

The pest scouting should also include counts on natural enemies to determine pest natural enemy ratio.

It is strongly recommended that natural enemies should be conserved by using selective pesticides. The pesticides should be used when it is necessary based on ETI, and not detrimental for the natural enemies.

IPM. oriented research should be under taken and the information generated should be shared by the various Institutes in the country.

Training of farmers at farmers field from sowing up to Harvest given a better results in transfer & Technology through IPM program.

Simple farmers level research experiments may be conducted at farmers field with the involvement of the farmers