International Journal of Plant Protection

D. Pujari , Badal Bhattacharyya ¹, Mrinmoy Das ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat Assam, IN

Abstract

Organic farming is gaining popularity worldwide among the farmers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, scientists and other stackholders as it minimizes dependence on chemical inputs, thus safeguarding quality of natural resources and environment. In organic farming, insect pest pose a major challenge since genetically modified crops and synthetic pesticides are not permitted for use in organic production systems. The underlying principle of integrated pest management (IPM) in organic system of cultivation involves application of ecologically sound practices. Major emphasis is given on use of multiple and various tactics incorporated into the cropping system design to prevent the damage caused by the insect pests. The key strategies of IPM of organic farming are selection of resistance/tolerance varieties, planting trap crops, following crop rotation, conservation of biological agents and soil quality management. However, enhancement of soil quality and cultural practices are sometime found to be insufficient to manage the pest below economic injury level (EIL). In such situations, augmentative release of biological control agent helps in rapid suppression of insect pests. For organic cultivation, biopesticides are used as a last option when the levels of pest population or damage are not acceptable. Since no single practice is effective for all possible insect pests that threaten the crop, a combination of such practices (IPM) is necessary to maintain the pest population below the EIL. These practices when used in a compatible manner could make organic ecosystem unattractive to pest species.

Keywords

Insect Pest Management, Organic Agriculture, Preventive Strategies

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Badal Bhattacharyya ¹, Mrinmoy Das ¹, Himangshu Mishra ¹, D. J. Nath ², Sudhansu Bhagawati ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (assam), IN
2 Department of Soil Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (assam), IN

Abstract

Giant African snail (Achatina fulica Bowdich) belongs to the Phylum-Mollusca and Class- Gastropoda. It is known for its destructive nature on cultivated crops wherever it occurs and is one of the world's largest and most damaging land snail pests. The pest is an East African origin, has spread in recent times by travel and trade to many countries. They now widely distributed and no longer limited to their region of origin due to several factors viz., high reproductive capacity, voracious feeding habit, inadequate quarantine management and human aided dispersal. A. fulica can cause serious economic damage on different crops and extensive rasping (scrapping), defoliation, slime trials, or ribbon like excrement is signs of infestation. In recent times, severe outbreak of this pest has been noticed due to some desirable agricultural and gardening practices like minimum tillage practices and straw retention techniques which help in survival of snails and make seedlings more susceptible to damage. This review paper aims to enlighten on taxonomy, distribution, extent of damage, morphology, biology, ecology, homing behaviour, seasonal incidence, nature of damage, host plants of A. fulica and its ecofriendly management strategies.

Keywords

Bioecology, Management, Giant African Snail, Achatina fulica

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