Pests Of Fruit Crops

Among the leading fruit producing countries in the world, India ranks second only after China. Fruits play pivotal role in mitigating nutritional requirement of the society as well as providing employment opportunity, especially in the agriculture dominated rural agrarian economy of the developing countries like India. In the age of Hi-tech Horticulture, introduction of new fruit crops resulted in the paradigm shift in fruit crop cultivation. Climatic chnages and increment in cropping intensity reflected in a remarkable and rapid shift of fruit ecosystem. Biotic stresses like insect, mite and nematode pests etc. have also been increasing day by day. These pest problems in fruit crop cultivation are now changing in a dynamic fashion in close association with the change in cropping system and the environment. To protect the fruit crops from insect pest devastation, synthetic poisonous chemicals are the quick and easy solution which are being used indiscriminately. Considering the ill effects of these hard-to-degrade synthetic chemical pesticides, integrated approaches are the only answer to combat such a complex and dreaded problem. The integrated approach comprises cultural, mechanical, biological and ecological management strategies in association with need based and safe pesticidal chemicals. Some pesticides have also been banned for using in horticultural crop cultivation, some others are withdrawn. But information with regard to these phenomena are scattered. In this compilation, an exhaustive effort has been undertaken to compile them. In addition to elaborating the host range, distribution, marks of identification, mode of feeding and symptoms of infestation, bionomics of the pests, biological control, pesticide residue problem and measures to mitigate it have been presented by the experts from different Institutes of repute from all over India.

The book has been designed for the UG and PG students of horticulture, crop protection, pomological acarology as well as nematology. This will also serve as guide to respected Professors and Teachers of Agricultural Universities, progressive farmers, extension workers, plant protection specialists as well as policy makers.

Nripendra Laskar, Professor of Agricultural Entomology completed his B. Sc. (Ag.) and M. Sc. (Ag.) in Agricultural Entomology degree with specialisation in Economic Entomology from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal and qualified NET organised by ASRB, ICAR, New Delhi in 2000. He obtained his Ph. D. Degree from Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal. Dr. Laskar has 20 years of research, teaching and extension experience in his concerned field of specialisation. He has successfully guided a number of students in both M. Sc. and Ph.D. level and presently working on Tephritids of economic importance and Beekeeping. He has published more than 40 research papers in different journals of National and International repute, 14 book chapters, 05 books and several popular articles. He is the member of a number of scientific societies in India and member of editorial board of the 'Journal of Agriculture and Technology' and Editor of a half yearly bengali magazine of agriculture, folk culture and literature, 'Ujaan'. In addition, Dr. Laskar is presently acting as the Principal Investigator of 05 research projects. He has attended and presented scientific findings on Agricultural Entomology in different National and International Seminar, Symposium and Conferences.

Hirak Chatterjee, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Protection, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture) Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan and Nodal Officer of NISAGENET, ICAR, New Delhi has obtained B.Sc.(Ag) and M.Sc.(Ag) degree from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia and Ph.D. degree from Uttar Banga Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar. He was awarded 'Crop Research' award (2005) for his contributions in the field of sustainable insect-pest management and microbial control of insect-pests of vegetable crops. Dr. Chatterjee has 25 years experience of teaching, research, and extension and served in different capacities under BCKV, UBKV and Visva-Bharati. He has published more than 75 research papers in International and National Journals of repute and several technical bulletins on 'Eco-friendly pest management strategies' of some important vegetable crops. He has written several book chapters and guided 12 M.Sc. (Ag.) and 5 Ph. D. students. In addition he has been the Principal Investigator and Co-investigator of two major International projects funded by AVRDC, Taiwan and DFID, London respectively, which won the International recognition upon its successful implementatio.

Supriya Biswas is devoted in Agriculture particularly in Agricultural Entomology. He passed B. Sc. (Ag.) from Post Graduate College, Ghazipur (affiliated to the VBS Purbanchal University, Jaunpur) and M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agricultural Entomology from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. He completed Ph.D in Agril. Entomology (Major in Economic Entomology) from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. He has qualified NET conducted by ASRB (ICAR) New Delhi. Dr. Biswas has published 26 research papers, 02 book chapters and 04 popular articles. He has the distinction of having attended and presented papers at several National and International Seminars / Symposium. Dr. Biswas also has membership of different National and International Scientific Societies.