APPLICATION FOR

HP State Innovation Award 2014-15

Submitted by Dr. PK Mehta, Dr. Pankaj Sood & Dr. C S Prabhakar

College of Agriculture

CSK HIMACHAL PRADESH KRISHI VISHVAVIDYALAYA

PALAMPUR - 176 062

HP State Innovation Award 2014-15

Application Form

1. Applicant/

organization name

: Dr. PK Mehta, Dr. Pankaj Sood & Dr. CS Prabhakar

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture

CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya

Palampur- 176062, HP

2. Email : mehta_hpau@rediffmail.com

pankajplp@rediffmail.com

csprabhakar.ento@gmail.com

3. Title of Project/

proposal

: Development of localized generic para pheromone

based bottle trap effective against fruit flies

prevalent on vegetable and horticulture

ecosystem in HP

4. Project Detail with Photographs

When, where and by whom the project work was conceptualized?

The project was conceptualized in 2008, in the Department of Entomology,

Himachal Pradesh, Palampur by PK Mehta, Pankaj Sood and CS Prabhakar.

Rationale: Cucurbits comprising of cucumber, bottle gourd and bitter gourd are the

important crops grown in Himachal Pradesh in an area of 2082 ha with the production of

43845 MT. Tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are one of the most diverse group

of insects, and cause annual economic loss of about Rs 6,958.20 crore in India. Due to

the peculiar damaging potential, the hidden or concealed maggots emerged out of the

eggs laid by females inside the fruit or plant parts mostly escape the insecticides

applied for its management. Consequently, farmers resort to frequent insecticidal

applications; which not only leaves the harmful residues on fruits and vegetables

making them unsuitable for human consumption. Also the heavy loads of insecticides

applied for its management pollutes our environment apart from many side effects. The

effective management of the pest could only be possible through mass trapping of the

male fruit flies (male annihilation technique- MAT) followed by need based bait

application technique(BAT). Efforts were made to develop an innovative mean to

manage this hazardous pest which could be befitted well under both conventional as

well as organic farming situations. The traps for mass trapping of fruit flies were

available in the market, but these were not effective in the state owing to a variable

spectrum of fruit fly species prevailing in the state. Henceforth the emphasis was laid

out on developing a pheromone trap suitable for the hill state which could effectively

manage the fruit fly species prevalent in the region. Further owing to small and marginal

land holdings farmers were practicing agriculture and horticulture in the same areas and

use of different traps for each crop was not economically feasible. The focus of the

present project was mainly to develop a trap which could effectively work for all fruit fly

species in the region.

Diagnostic survey undertaken to provide a basis for the formulation of the project

Extensive diagnostic surveys were undertaken to know the pest status and identify

different fruit fly species prevalent in all cucurbit and fruit growing areas of the state since 2005.

Surveys were conducted to know the fruit flies species diversity and accurate identification of

prevalent species. During these surveys, fruit fly infested fruit and vegetable samples were

collected and reared under laboratory conditions for establishment and identification of

prevalent fruit fly species. Simultaneously, avoidable losses and percent infestation at various

locations was also assessed. Interactions with the farmer to know the prevailing tactics used by

the farmers to combat this serious pest and the alternatives expected to minimize losses were

also discussed.

Salient findings

The studies revealed that the avoidable losses due to fruit flies at three locations

(Palampur, Mandi and Hamirpur) varied from 89.7 to 94.6%.

The fruit flies infestation was encountered (ranging from 44.44 to 80.00 per cent)

mostly in lower and middle altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh. The state

average fruit flies infestation was 65.88 per cent, highest being in Kangra at

Palampur (80.00%) and lowest in Chamba at Banikhet (44.44%).

The variations of fruit flies infestation in cucurbits at different locations might be

due to the variations in the local environmental conditions and relative

susceptibility of the crop varieties.

High fruit flies activity in Himachal Pradesh might have been facilitated by

congenial climatic conditions like high rain fall (1251.90 mm annual rainfall) and

humidity, with majority rains being received during active fruit growing season.

Farmers of the state were not using IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

approach like field sanitation, MAT (Male Annihilation Technique) and BAT (Bait

Application Technique) techniques as observed during the survey.

On the other hand, most of the agricultural land have bushy hedges and is

surrounded by forest and pastures consisting of many wild hosts of fruit flies

which could facilitate the fruit flies to rest and pick the resources during/after

insecticide application and during the lean periods.

Farmers of the state were assuming that fruit flies management is not possible in

the state like Himachal Pradesh.

Total 6 major pest fruit flies were identified viz., Bactrocera tau, Bactrocera

cucurbitae, Bactrocera scutellaris, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera zonata and

Bactrocera correcta.

The available traps in the market were mainly targeting the fruit pest fruit fly

species and were not effective against complex of species in vegetable crops

(cucurbits) apart from being costly considering marginal and small land holdings

in Himachal Pradesh.

Specific objectives of the project

To develop economical and climatically viable mass trapping system considering

the complexity of fruit fly species in Himachal Pradesh for ecofriendly

management for the pest fruit flies

Demonstrate and disseminate the technology in the farmers field and impart

trainings for preparation of traps

To change the perception of farmers that fruit flies are unmanageable problem in

Himachal Pradesh

To start an area wide management programme with the help of State Agricultural

Department, NGOs and farmers

Socio-economic and technological relevance of the project objectives

Considering the marginal land holdings of the farmers, they were not able to use

the costly traps available in the market and were spending a huge amount on

pesticidal applications to protect their crops from the fruit flies. This not only was

resulting in low returns from vegetable cultivations but also exposing them and

environment to insecticidal hazards. To develop a low cost and eco-friendly fruit

flies trap which would be locally and easily available to the farmers and trap all

the major fruit flies pest species was the only alternative solution. Hence, the

proposed technology to combat this dreaded pest by involving farmers and

various stakeholders was emphasizing to reduce the input costs for management

of this pest and simultaneously minimizing the insecticidal usage. The

pheromone trap was developed which has been attracting and killing 9-10

species of fruit flies infesting fruit and vegetables of Himachal Pradesh.

Economics of trap

Sr. No. Component Cost (Rs) Traps in Market

A . Chemical components

1 Cue Lure 22.00

2 Methyl eugenol 8.50

3 DDVP/ Neem Baan 0.50

Total (A) 31.00 45.00 ( Septa cost)

B. Physical components

1 Plastic Bottle (Waste mineral water/cold drink)

1.00

2 Plywood block 3.00

3 Plastic thread 0.30

4 Yellow adhesive tape 0.50

5 Stapler pin 0.20

6 Labour charge 4.00

Total (B) 9.00 90.00 (Plastic Trap)

Total (A+B) 31.00 + 9. 00 =40.00

45.00 + 90.00= 135.00

The methodology used for implementing the project

Technological interventions:

Development of localized para pheromone based bottle trap effective against all

the species prevalent on vegetable and horticulture ecosystem in the region

On farm trials conducted for three years for the management of the pest on

cucurbits and tomato

Technology assessment and refinement:

Treatments Cucurbits Tomato

% Fruit dama

ge

Yield (q/ha

)

% increase over control

Net Return

s

B:C ratio

% Fruit damag

e

Yield (q/ha

)

% increase over control

Net Return

s

B:C ratio

BAT (50 g jaggery + 10 ml malathion /5 l water spray thrice at 15 days interval (Farmers’ practice)

40.6 117.5

- 77500 2.93 29.2 215.6

- 75800 3.36

Lure traps @ 25/ ha

56.8 93.5 - 20.4 53900 2.36 25.6 218.4

1.3 77600 3.46

Lure traps + BAT

29.2 142.0

20.9 100400 3.41 14.3 251.9

16.8 92350 3.75

Based on the pool data for three years of on farm trials conducted in district

Mandi, fruit fly traps along with bait application resulted in reduction of fruit

damage due to fruit flies from 40.60 percent in farmers’ practice to 29.2 percent

and yield advantage of 20.9 percent over farmers’ practice in case of cucurbits.

Whereas in tomato reduction of fruit damage from 29.2 percent in farmers’

practice to 14.30 percent was observed with yield advantage of 16.8 percent in

case of tomato. Installation of fruit fly traps alone could not yield significant

advantage as the traps capture only the males and traps need to be installed on

community basis on larger areas for longer durations preferably 2-3 years) for

desired results.

Fruit fly management recommendation included in the package of practices

of the University

(Destruction of infested fruits; Trap installation @ 25/hectare, BAT (Gur 50g+ malathion

10ml in 5 liters of water) application at an interval of 15 days after initiation of damage)

Technology dissemination:

Front line demonstrations on fruit fly management in cucurbits:

Fruit fly traps were demonstrated in the farmers’ field in different vegetable/ fruit

growing districts of the state during 2009 to 2012.

Capacity building of extension functionaries and farmers

Farmers were educated about the integrated management options for fruit flies

viz. field sanitation, Bait Application Technology (BAT) and Male Annihilation

Techniques (MAT)

Training camps and awareness programmes were oraginsed for farming

communities, NGOs and State Agricultural Department officials for area wide

management of fruit flies.

Posters and pamphlets were distributed among farmers community, State

Agricultural Department officials Block technology Managers (BTM), and NGOs

in Himachal Pradesh

Training programmes organized

Year Extension Personal Rural Youth Farmers

No. Participants No. Participants No. Participants

2010 3 72 4 167 8 416

2011 6 118 6 243 11 652

2012 4 83 7 307 6 321

2013 3 69 2 82 5 189

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Extensional personal Rural Youth Farmers

16 19 30

342

632

1578

Number

Participants

Development and supply of fruit fly traps to the farmers and other

developmental agencies

Year No. of traps prepared/ supplied

KVK Mandi Department of Entomology

2010 2500 180

2011 3500 5990

2012 4070 10219

2013 4800 8185

2014 1200 9709

Advertisement through Print media, Local magazines and Pamphlets

TV Talks, Advisory Services and SMS services

TV Talks:

Name of the programme and place Topic Date

Krishi Darshan, Live Chat Show as an expert, Doordarshan, Shimla

Pest management in cucurbitaceous vegetables in HP

14.02.2008 (5.00 PM)

Field based Programme Insect pest & disease management in vegetables

04.10.2010 (19.10.2010)

Crop Seminar Village Dehwi (Kangoo) 23.05.2011

(31.05.2011)

Krishi Darshan Programme of DD1 (New Delhi)

Fruit fly trap success story 06.05.2013

TV talk recorded during National KVKs Conference at PAU Ludhiana

02.01.2012

Literature and Press Clippings:

Experts of KVK demonstrating the functioning of fruit fly trap to the trainees

Hon’ble Deputy Director General, (Agril. Extension) ICAR getting feedback on trap

A Satisfied Vegetable Grower from Paprola (Kangra) with Scientists

A campaign for refilling of traps in Hamirpur District

The salient outputs of the project

The details of problems addressed and solved:

Existing Problems Problems solved

As per the SAU recommendation, either insecticides or jaggery + malathion is recommended for the management of fruit flies with little success

The recommendation of fruit fly traps @ 25 traps per hectare + Bait application technique (BAT) not only reduced fruit infestation but also reduced fruit fly numbers with passage of time as males are trapped and unmated females either do not lay eggs or lay unfertilized eggs.

Frequent pesticide application results in environmental pollution and human health hazards

Installation of fruit fly traps reduced the number of insecticidal applications, consequently minimizing input costs and minimize environmental pollution

Insecticidal application is labour intensive Fruit fly bottle traps are effective for 6-8 weeks and one trap covers an area of around 400 sq. meters and require no labour for installation

Fruit flies infestations in fruit and vegetables crops reduced to 50 percent and

insecticidal spray by the farmers reduced by three sprays in the Himachal

Pradesh. Overall more than 40000 traps were supplied to the farmers in 9

Districts of Himachal Pradesh.

Demands for fruit flies traps from neighboring state KVKs and farmers (Punjab

and Haryana) were also fulfilled.

Farmers were very much enthusiastic for integrated management of fruit flies

The impact of the project on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and adoption rate of

recommended technologies by the target population

During project implementation, farmers the target population did not believe on

area wide fruit fly management, mass trapping could be a viable option.

Since, 2009 from demonstration on farmers’ field and actual starting of the

project from 2010 Kharif, change in farmers perception and knowledge about

species of fruit flies and their management has been visible. Now, people are

accurately identifying the species of fruit flies infesting fruits and vegetables.

They now believe in community level management of fruit flies rather than

individual level management with spray of insecticides.

Horizontal spread:

The technology horizontally spread in about 500 ha in the sate till now

About 40000 traps (25000 from the Department of Entomology, CSK HPKV

Palampur and 15000 from KVK Mandi, HP) have been supplied to the farmers

and orders for traps for the current season are being received.

Farmers are directly approaching the Department of Entomology & KVK for

procurement of the trap in the ensuing season

All the KVKs are procuring the traps from the KVK Mandi/ Department of

Entomology for further sale to the farmers

This not only has served as rapport making intervention amongst the farmers but

also earned revenue worth 30 lakhs to the institute from sale of traps

Mass production of traps from waste plastic bottles

District No. of demonstrations

Mandi 687

Hamirpur 874

Bilaspur 249

Kangra 620

Una 128

Being an environmental friendly and easy to adopt technology, the farmers are

readily accepting the same. Further being a low cost and local technology, this not only

increased productivity but also overall profitability of the growers. Being a pesticide free

or minimum pesticide usage technology, it is sustainable and consumer friendly as the

harmful residual toxicity is minimized.

The diffusion of the project impact on the neighbors of the direct contacties

Since Palam traps has been proving to be highly beneficial for farming

community, these traps are being popularized through various extension activities like,

Kisan Meals, Kisan Goshtis, exhibitions, farmers’ seminars, exposure visits, literature,

TV talks and Radio talks.

Sl.

No.

Crop/ Enterprise

Technology Demonstrated

Details of popularization methods suggested to the Extension system

Horizontal spread of technology

No. of villages

No. of farmers

Area in ha

1. Tomato Fruit fly traps Trainings, demonstrations, field days, conventions

15 80 25

2. Cucurbits Fruit fly traps Trainings, demonstrations, field days, conventions

40 350 100

Collaboration with Department of Agriculture: The collaboration of University,

Department of Agriculture and KVKs to address the burning problem of farming

community is the need of hour. In this context, Department of Agriculture HP also

demonstrated Palam traps at farmers fields at different blocks of the district.

Since the technique employed is male annihilation technique, the population of

the pest will automatically decline in future. This will be highly beneficial for the farming

community which were otherwise employing blanket application of insecticides and

getting poor yield due to heavy fruit fly attack. The farmers can easily make these traps

by using waste empty plastic bottle. Since the chemical employed is costly, it can be

easily procured in the form of pheromone impregnated wooden blocks from the KVK

Mandi and Department of Entomology, CSK HPKV, Palampur directly or at district level

through Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the university.

Palam Fruit fly trap has become a household name in all the vegetable growing

areas of Himachal Pradesh through the collaborative efforts of University and

Agriculture department, HP. Farmers, who have used this technology once not only

using the technology regularly but also motivating and encouraging other farmers to

adopt this innovative technology. Some farmers are now preparing the traps themselves

and getting the impregnated lure blocks(Wooden Septa) from the KVK or Department of

Entomology. A horizontal spread of technology has been witnessed which not only has

reduced fruit fly population over the locations but also saved insecticides worth lakhs of

rupees.

Problems encountered and solutions found

Earlier, readymade fruit flies traps (ready to use in field) were provided to farmers

and NGOs. They started complaining about large quantity of traps transportation is

problematic, then we trained people to prepare bottle trap for themselves and the septa

impregnated with lures(sealed and Packed) were supplied, which were easy to transport

in bulk by farmers cooperatives and societies. Now, packaged septa impregnated with

lures are being supplied. This not only solved transportation problems but also

increased efficacy period as the farmers could use the purchased and sealed septas

whenever the same are required under field conditions.

5. Publications based on the project work

Research Articles

1. P. Sood and C.S. Prabhakar. 2009. Molecular diversity and antibiotic sensitivity of gut

bacterial symbionts of fruit fly, Bactrocera tau. Journal of Biological Control. 23 (3):213-

220.

2. P. Sood, C.S. Prabhakar and P.K. Mehta. 2010 Eco friendly management of fruit flies

through their gut bacteria. Journal of Insect Science. 23 (3): 275-283.

3. C.S. Prabhakar, P. Sood, P.K. Mehta and A. Choudhary. 2008. Fruit fly, Bactrocera

scutellaris (Bezzi): A potential threat to cucurbit cultivation under low and mid hills of

Himachal Pradesh. Pest Management and Economic Zoology. 15(2): 181-185.

4. C.S. Prabhakar, P. Sood, P.K. Mehta and A. Choudhary. 2009. Distribution and

developmental biology of fruit flies infesting cucurbits in the north- western Himalaya.

Journal of Insect Science. 22 (3): 300-308.

5. Mehta, P. K., Prabhakar, C. S. and Sood, P. 2012. Incidence and distribution of fruit flies

(Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting cucurbits in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal J. Agric. Sci. 38

(2): 131-134.

6. Prabhakar, C. S., Mehta, P. K., Sood, P., Singh, S. K., Sharma, P. and Sharma, P. N.

2012. Population genetic structure of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett)

(Diptera: Tephritidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene

sequences. Genetica DOI: 10.1007/s10709-012-9660-y

7. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P. and Mehta, P. K. 2012. Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

diversity in cucurbit fields and surrounding forest areas of Himachal Pradesh, a North

Western Himalayan state of India. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection:

2012: 1-8 (DOI: 10.1080/03235408.2012.660612).

8. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P. and Mehta, P. K. 2012. Pictorial keys for predominant

Bactrocera and Dacus fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of north western Himalaya.

Arthropods, 1(3):101-111.

9. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P., Kanwar, S. S., Kumar, A., Sharma, P. N. and Mehta, P. K.

2013. Isolation and characterization of gut bacteria of fruit fly, Bactrocera tau (Walker)

(Diptera: Tephritidae). Phytoparasitica, 41(2):193-201. Impact Factor: - (Thomson

Reuters), 7.7 (NAAS)].

10. Prabhakar, C.S., Sood, P. and Mehta, P.K. 2009. Protein hydrolization and pesticide

tolerance by gut bacteria of Bactrocera tau (Walker). Pest Management and Economic

Zoology. 16(2): 123-129.

Presentations in National/ International conference/ symposia

1. Sood, P., Prabhakar, C. S., Mehta, P. K. and Sharma, P. N. 2012. Fruit fly (Diptera:

Tephritidae) diversity assessment using DNA barcodes in north-western Himalayas. In:

Proceedings of National Seminar on Biotechnological approaches in pest management”,

organized by Department of Entomology and School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU

Ludhiana from May 4-5, 2012, pp 22-23 (extended abstract).

2. Sood, P., Prabhakar, C. S., Choudhary, A. and Sood, A.K. 2008. Distribution and

developmental biology of fruit fly infesting cucurbits in north western Himalayas. In:

Proceedings of 2nd Congress on Insect Science: Pest Management in Global context.

Organized by Indian Society for the Advancement of Insect science, PAU, Ludhiana,

India 162 pp.

3. Sood, P., CS Prabhakar, PK Mehta, DS Yadav and SK Thakur. 2011. Fruit Fly Mass

Trapping- A Viable Option for Fruit Fly Management in Cucurbits under Organic Farming

Scenario. In: National Symposium cum Brainstorming Workshop on Organic Agriculture’

organized by Organic Agricultural Society of India (OASI), CSK HPKV Palampur at

Palampur w.e.f. April 19-20, 2011.Pp. 111-112.

4. Sood, P., Yadav, D.S., Thakur, S.K. and Rahi, S. 2012. On farm trials and front line

demonstrations for faster adaption of eco friendly pest management technologies. In:

International Conference on Extension Education in the Perspectives of Advances in

Natural resource Management in Agriculture (NaRMA- IV)” held w.e.f December 19-21,

2012 at SK Rajasthan Agricultural University Bikaner, Rajasthan (India). Abstracts &

Souveneir, pp. 48.

5. Sood, P., Ghosh, P., Mehta, P.K. 2013. Effect of organic formulations on the food

consumption and utilization by Helicoverpa armigera Hub (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In:

International Congress on Insect Science (ICIS 2013): New Horizons in Insect Science

held (eds AK Chakravarthy et al.) w.e.f. February 14-17, 2013 at GKVK, Bangalore,

Karnatka. pp. 13.

6. Sood, P., Yadav, D.S., Thakur, S.K., Choudhary, A.K., Rahi, S., and Chauhan, K. 2012.

Pheromone based fruit fly management for sustainability- a case study (oral

presentation). In: National Seminar on Indian Agriculture: Present Situation,

Challenges, Remedies and Road Map’ organized by Youth for Sustainable Development

& CSK HP agriculture University, Palampur (HP), August 4-5, 2012. Souveneir &

Abstracts, pp. 26-27.

7. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P., Mehta, P. K. and Sharma, P. N. 2012. Bactrocera tau sp. A

(Diptera: Tephritidae) is predominant species infesting cucurbits in Himachal Pradesh

(India). In: Proceedings of TEAM 2nd International Meeting: “Biological invasions of

Tephritidae ecological and economic impacts”, organized by Tephritid workers of

Europe, Africa and Middle East Asia at Crete, Greece from July 3-6, 2012, pp 69.

8. PK Mehta, CS Prabhakar and Pankaj Sood. 2011. Biodiversity of Fruit flies (Tephritidae:

Diptera) in NW Himalaya. In: 3rd Congress on Insect Science on Pest Management for

food security and Environmental Health at PAU Ludhiana organized by Indian Society

for the Advancement of Insect Science, PAU Ludhiana w.e.f. April 18-20, 2011. Pp. 1-2

(Lead Paper).

9. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P., Mehta, P. K. and Choudhary, A. 2008. Evaluation of fruit fly

gut bacteria as attractant for fruit fly (Tephritidae: Diptera) management under North-

Western Himalayan conditions. In: Proceedings of 7th Meeting of the Working Group on

Fruit Flies of the Western Hemisphere, organized by Working Group on Fruit Flies of the

Western Hemisphere, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico pp 80-81.

10. Prabhakar, C. S., Sood, P., Sharma, P. N., Kanwar, S.S. and Kapoor, V. 2008.

Polyphasic characterization of symbiotes associated with Bactrocera and their role in

fruit fly management. In: Proceedings of 2nd Congress on Insect Science: Pest

Management in Global context. Organized by Indian Society for the Advancement of

Insect science, PAU, Ludhiana, India 59 pp.

Papers in Proceedings

Sood P., Yadav, D.S., Thakur, S.K., Choudhary, A.K., Rahi S. and Chauhan, K. 2013.

Pheromone based fruit fly management for sustainability- a case study. In: Book of

Proceedings (National Seminar on Indian Agriculture: Present Situation, Challenges,

Remedies and Road Map) (eds. Adarsh Kumar et al.) organized by Youth for

Sustainable Development & CSK HP agriculture University, Palampur (HP), August 4-5,

2012. pp. 25-28.

Extension Articles

1. Pankaj Sood, PK Mehta and CS Prabhakar. 2010. Vishvavidyalaya dwara viksit palam

trap: phal makhi prabhandhan ka ek saral upaye. Parvatiya Khetiwari. July- September,

2010. 30(3): 27-28.

2. Mehta, P.K., Sood, P. and Prabhakar, C. S. 2010. Palam trap: A novel triumph in fruit fly

suppression in Himachal Pradesh. Entomology Reporter 1(2):9-10 Published by

Entomology Club, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana,

Punjab (India) 141004.

3. Sood, P. 2012.Plant protection technology in tomato (Hindi). Giriraj 34 (38): 5.

4. Sood, P., Yadav, D.S. and Thakur, S.K. 2012. Pest management in tomato (Hindi).

Giriraj 34.

5. Pankaj Sood, Yadav, D.S. and Thakur, S.K. 2013. Keet Nashak Rasaynon ke prayog

mein bartein Savdhani (Hindi). Giriraj (April 3-9, 2013), 35 (27): 5.

Leaflets/folders

Mehta, P.K., Pankaj Sood, Thakur, A. and Verma, K.S. 2013. Palam Trap: An innovative mean

to manage fruit flies. Department of Entomology, CSK HPKV Palampur.

Success stories

1. Success stories and innovation documented by the KVK have been published in ICAR

publications of Zonal Project Directorate-I, PAU Ludhiana.

Technical bulletins

i. Sood, P., Yadav, D.S., Thakur, S.K., Rahi, S. and Choudhary, A.K. 2011. Parmukh

faslon ke rogon va kitton ka samekit parwandhan. KVK Sundernagar Technical Bulletin

No. 8: pp32.

6. A concise statement (about 150 words) highlighting the most

significant aspects of the extension education work done that you

would like to see in your citation of award, if chosen.

Tephritid fruit flies are one of the most serious pests of agriculture in India and

their management using mass trapping techniques by developing a local bottle based

fruit fly trap (Palam trap) has been achieved. The trap has been developed considering

the wide spectrum of fruit fly species prevalent in the region and is suitable for both

agriculture and horticulture ecosystems. The technology after on farm testing at various

locations within the state has been demonstrated and highly acclaimed by the farmers.

The technology has been included in the university package of practices. Technology

has been disseminated by organizing a number of training camps for extension

personnel, rural youth & farmers, awareness camps and through pamphlets.

Department of Agriculture has also taken up the technology and providing the traps

developed by the University at KVK Mandi and Department of Entomology on

subsidized rates to the farmers. About forty thousand traps have been provided to the

farmers during last four years. Palam trap has become a house hold name amongst the

vegetable/ fruit growers in the state. The traps have also been demonstrated through

KVKs in Haryana & Punjab and widely appreciated.

7. Certified that the information furnished above is true to best of my

knowledge and belief

(Director of Resarch)

CSK HPKV Palampur

8. Annexure

i. Awards certificates

ii. Publications

15. Certified that the information furnished is verified & true and has

been conducted at CSK HPKV Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. I

strongly recommend the candidature of Dr. PK Mehta, Pankaj Sood

& CS Prabhakar for the HP State Innovation Award 2014-15.

(Vice Chancellor)

CSK HPKV Palampur (HP)

Signature and seal