HOD's DESK
Since the inception of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai in 1965 Department of Agricultural Entomology is an integral part of it and is actively involved in teaching, intensive research on pest management methods of different crops and advisory services. Central Instrumentation laboratory, Toxicology laboratory and Natural Pesticides laboratory are available in this Department. The Department offers trainings on various plant protection aspects and bee keeping to farmers and extension functionaries. Information on various plant protection aspects are dessiminated through All India Radio, dailies, research articles, popular articles, leaflets, etc. A patent was obtained for an invention entitled “Water soluble gel formulation comprising of entomopathogenic nematodes and it’s preparation” for the term of 20 years from 14.12.2012. At present, research activities are being focussed on the development of botanical formulations for the management of maize fall army worm, development of IPM module for the management of major insect pests of paddy, kudiraivali & vegetable crops, studies on pollination behaviour of different honeybee species and exploring the role of herbivore induced plant volatiles in pest management.