Plant based pesticides

The Department of Biotechnology has supported a coordinated research project on development of plant based pesticides. Under this project, till date 694 samples from 61 species have been prepared and screened against eight test insects. Samples from six plants showed positive results against Diamond Back Moth, Aphid, Tobacco caterpillar, Cabbage semilooper, mosquito and the red spider mite respectively. Results were reviewed and studies related to product development were narrowed down to four species. Till date 55 formulations have been prepared and screened. Three formulations have so far demonstrated positive activity against Diamond Back Moth, the aphid and mosquitoes respectively. These formulations are to be taken up for limited scale field trials for further evaluation.

This information was given by the Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : August 18, 2006