Brief Information of the Department

         Entomology is the study of insects. It is an interdisciplinary life science that contributes much to our understanding of life, our environment, and the well-being of our society. Insects are the predominant species on Earth, representing the greatest biodiversity with more than one million known species. Not surprising, insects significantly affect human civilization, whether the impact is positive, such as pollination of our food plants, or negative, such as competition with our food supply or carriers of diseases.

         Department of Agricultural Entomology of College of Agriculture, AAU, Vaso offers outstanding academic programs for undergraduate and diploma students preparing for agriculturally important insects related research, teaching, and extension. Moreover, this department also conduct various insect pests’ problems oriented research as well as disseminate various technology of pest management to farmers.

MANDATES / OBJECTIVES

1. Main function of Department of Agricultural Entomology to impart education to students leading to the degree of B. Sc. (Agri.) and Polytechnic in Agriculture
2. To conduct entomological research
3. Providing diagnostic services to the farmers for insect pests infesting different crops.
4. Publication of research related to insect pests and its management carried out in the Department.

FACULTY INFORMATION

ACTIVITIES

• TEACHING

• RESEARCH

Ongoing Experiments

1. Evaluation of organic inputs for management of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi
2. Evaluation of organic inputs for management of cowpea pod borer
3. Effect of transplanting date on yield and insect pest and disease incidence in rustica tobacco
4. Evaluation of organic inputs against major foliar disease of okra

Research projects completed by the Department

1. Study on biodiversity of insect fauna through light traps (Year: 2015-16)
2. Bio-efficacy of various insecticides against ear head worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick infesting summer pearl millet (Year: 2018-19)
3. Efficacy of seed treatment against sucking pests and root rot disease of Bt cotton (Year: 2018-19)
4. Population dynamics of major lepidopterous insect pests through sex pheromone traps (Year: 2019-20)
5. BEffect of transplanting date of rice and nitrogen levels on incidence of pests and diseases (Year: 2019-20)

Farmers recommandation

The farmers of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone growing paddy variety GR-11 are advised to transplant seedlings during 2nd to 4th week of July with application of 80 kg N/ha (32 kg as basal dose, 32 kg at tillering stage and 16 kg at one week before panicle initiation stage) to reduce the intensity of diseases (bacterial leaf blight and sheath rot) and infestation of insects (leaf hopper, leaf folder and rice stem borer).

મધ્ય ગુજરાત ખેત આબોહવાકીય વિસ્તારમાં જીઆર - ૧૧ ડાંગરની ખેતી કરતા ખેડૂતોને ભલામણ કરવામાં આવે છે કે ડાંગરની ફેરરોપણી જુલાઇના બીજા થી ચોથા અઠવાડીયામાં કરવી અને નાઈટ્રોજન ૮૦ કિ.ગ્રા. પ્રતિ હેક્ટર (૩૨ કિ.ગ્રા. પાયામાં, ૩૨ કિ.ગ્રા. ફૂટની અવસ્થામાં અને ૧૬ કિ.ગ્રા. કંટી નીકળવાના એક અઠવાડીયા પહેલા) મુજબ આપવાથી રોગ (જીવાણુથી થતો પાનનો સુકારો અને પર્ણચ્છેદનો કહોવરો) અને જીવાતો (ચૂસિયા, પાન વાળનારી ઇયળ અને ગાભમારાની ઇયળ) નો ઉપદ્રવ ઘટાડી શકાય છે.

Relatively higher male moth catches of tobacco leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura, gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera and rice stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas in pheromone traps were found during July to December, September to December and August to October, respectively with peak in month of October.

• EXTENSION

1. Evaluation, refinement and transfer of technology for pest management
2. Crop Protection Services through internet and telephone.
3. Farmer’s field demonstration for management of insect pests
4. Delivering lectures to the farmers/officers/staff members in various training programs

FACILITIES

1. Insect Museum
2. Departmental classroom with projector
3. Laboratory equipped with charts
4. Knapsak Sprayer
5. Hand Compressor Spryer
6. Foot Spryer
7. Rotary Duster
8. Cut model of three pistan Power spryer
9. Cut model of Hand Compressor Spryer
10. Insect Box
11. Corcyra rearing Cage
12. Insect Cabinet
13. Insect Drying Chamber
14. Light trap
15. Brown plant hopper Rearing cage
16. Insect Breeding nest for flies
17. Insect Sprading Board
18. Entomological Pin
19. Insect Net

PUBLICATIONS

ACHIEVEMENTS

Awards Won by the Faculty Members

CONTACT PERSON

Dr. C. B. Varma
Assistant Professor and Head
Department of Agricultural Entomology
College of Agriculture, AAU, Vaso
Mob. No.: +91 – 9510145659
e-mail:chiragvarma@aau.in