Assessment of the pest and disease problems

Nursery and Plantation Insect pests and diseases of fast growing native tree species such as Ailanthus excelsa, Melia dubia, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Thespesia populnea and Bamboo spp. in the States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are being studied. Clones of species like Casuarina equisetifolia and Eucalyptus sp., are also studied for key pests and diseases problems at three different locations of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Development of Integrated pests and diseases management

Integrated Pests Management (IPM) for the key pests of native tree species such as Ailanthus excelsa , Gmelina aroborea and Dalbergia sissoo are being developed.

Biological control

Exploration of potential biocontrol agents (Insect pests and diseases causing pathogens) from India for management of A. nilotica ssp. Indica in Australia carried out. Successful classical biological control of invasive gall wasp Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle on eucalyptus was carried out.   

Studies on host plant resistance

Screening of clones/provenances/families and progenies of Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Acacia auriculiformis and Ailanthus excelsa against the key insect pests and diseases carried out. Charcterization and evaluation of Allelochemical profiles of the tree species such as teak, casuarinas and eucalyptus in respect of host plant resistance/susceptibility for the key pests studied.

Volatiles in Pest control

Plant volatiles play a major role in insect attraction and repulsion. Currently volatiles from teak and ailanthus is being identified for utilisation in key defoliator management in teak and ailanthus.

Studies on biofertilizers

Studies on host and site specific beneficial microbes like mycorrhizal fungi like Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) and Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi besides Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteia (PGPR) such as Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Phosphobacteria, Rhizobium, etc. and Actinobacteria (Frankia, Micromonospora, etc.) in the rhizosphere of economically imporant tree species native as well as exotic tree species and Mangroves being carried out. Pure cultures of different beneficial microbes are being made and evaluated their efficacy on growth and biomass enhancement of selected commercially important tree crops in nursery for identifying potential ones. Bio-fertilizer Products are also being brought out for the benefit of stakeholders.