Formulation of a para-pheromone from local varieties of Ocimumsanctum for the control of fruit and melon flies
NRC Grant No: NRC PPP 12-26
Research Institute:
Amount Funded:
Date of Awarded: 2013
End Date:
Status: Completed
Summary
The Dipteran family Tephritidae consists of over 4000 species, of which nearly 250 species are of economic importance, and are distributed widely in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. Mediterranean fruit fly, Bactocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) causes considerable yield and quality losses varying between 40 to 100%, depending on the crop species The main symptoms of fruit fly attacks are immature fruit falling and unmarketable quality of mature fruits due to the presence of fruit fly larvae. Moreover, according to the international sanitary rules, fruits, which are contaminated with fruit flies or eggs, are prohibited to export other countries. The use of synthetic pesticides for the control of fruit fly is not economical due to several reasons a) killing of non-target animals and beneficiary insects, b) imbalance of natural eco-system, c) induction of pesticide resistant pests and insects, d) health hazards due to environmental pollution and long term negative impacts on sustainability of biological pathways. Therefore, investigation of eco-friendly, less/non hazardous biological pesticide/s such as pheromones is important if we are to overcome fruit fly menace. The genus Ocimum, a member of the Lamiaceae family, contains between 50 and 150 species of herbs and shrubs. Ocimum species have been widely used in Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicines and control of household, storage and other agricultural pests. Present study describes island wide distribution of Ocimum species, screening of essential oil content and composition, insect attractant ability and formulation of product using different extracts of the most potent Ocimum species. Systematic survey was conducted in 13 districts belonging to 6 provinces and more than 20 different Ocimum/ morphotypes species were collected. All morphotypes were identified and screened for major morphological features, essential oil content and composition and insect attractant ability. Further studies are in progress.
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