GENESIS
Department of Agricultural Entomology was established at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai in August 1965. Since its inception, the Department of Agricultural Entomology is actively involved in teaching, intensive research on pest management methods of different crops and advisory services.
MANDATES
- To teach Agricultural Entomology for students of B.Sc. (Ag), B.Sc. (Home Science), M.Sc. (Ag) and Ph.D. degree courses and B.F.Tech. degree for farmers,
- To undertake research on integrated insect pest and mite management in rice, sugarcane, pulses, vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants and stored products with special emphasis on Host Plant Resistance, Bio-control, Botanicals, Chemical control,
- To test newer insecticide molecules against major insect pests of crops,
- To provide plant protection advisory services to farmers, extension functionaries of the State Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Non Governmental and Private Organizations,
- To offer trainings on plant protection aspects to farmers and extension functionaries and
- To disseminate plant protection techniques through All India Radio, dailies, research articles, popular articles, leaflets, etc.
MILESTONES
- M.Sc. (Ag) degree programme – September, 1969
- GOI/SERC scheme on Insect Pathology – August, 1976
- Hindustan Lever Research Scheme on Integrated management of Spodoptera litura – February, 1981
- Insect Pathology unit – June, 1982
- Nematology unit – June, 1983
- IRRI – ADB – TNAU Colloborative research on Botanical Pest Control – June, 1984
- Platygaster oryzae Scheme (ICAR) – May, 1986
- Sugarcane Scheme (TN) – June, 1987
- Ph.D. programme – November, 1989
- BCIL Scheme on Biocotrol agents – September, 1991
- NRI (UK) project on Insecticide Resistance Management – April, 1993
- ITRC Scheme on Neem – June, 1997
- Pilot Plant for mass production of predators – July, 1997
- NATP-CGP I scheme on Cotton – 2000
- NATP CGP II scheme on Vegetables – 2002
- Biological testing of newer insecticidal molecules – 2003
- GOI–DST–Fast Track scheme: ‘Rhizosphere modification for Nematode management’ – 2005
- DBT Vacation Training: Exploration of Insect Biodiversity and Bioresources – 2006
- TNSCST, Chennai & NCSTC, New Delhi, Popularization of ‘Rodent management’ – 2005
- Part-II – Plan – NPV Scheme- 2006
- Establishment of NHM Biocontrol Lab – 2006
- NMPB scheme – Bio-intensive pest management in Senna, Coleus and Ashwaganda – 2006
- NMPB scheme –Medicinal plants as grain protectants – 2006
- GOI – MoEF scheme – Biodiversity of predatory mites – 2006
- GOI-DBT scheme- Utilization of organic wastes for the production and formulation of entomopathogenic fungi for eco-friendly management of white grub – 2009
- GOI-DST-FTP scheme : Bacterial melanins as UV protectant for biocontrol agents-2009.
- Classical biological control of Papaya mealybug parasitoid release – 2010-12
- Establishment of Toxicology Laboratory- 2012
- Organized winter school on “Securing stored grains from pests and diseases” during 2013.
- Organized International Conference on “Innovative insect management approaches for sustainable agro eco-system (IIMASAE)” from January 27 – 30, 2015.
- Establishment of Natural Pesticides Laboratory- 2019