https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.4073/CSR.2014.6

Farmer Field Schools for Improving Farming Practices and Farmer Outcomes: A Systematic Review

A major challenge of agriculture is to increase food production to meet the needs of the growing world population, without damaging the environment. In current agricultural practices, the control of pests is often accomplished by means of the excessive use of agrochemicals, which can result in environmental pollution and the development of resistant pests. In this context, biopesticides can offer a better alternative to synthetic pesticides, enabling safer control of pest populations. However, limitations of biopesticides, including short shelf life, photosensitivity, and volatilization, make it difficult to use them on a large scale. Here, we review the potential use of neem oil in crop protection, considering the gaps and obstacles associated with the development of sustainable agriculture in the not too distant future.

/pdf/neem-oil-and-crop-protection-from-now-to-the-future-1ylopmhq8c.pdf

Neem Oil and Crop Protection: From Now to the Future.

Cyanobacteria are prominent inhabitants of many agricultural soils, where they potentially contribute towards biological nitrogen fixation, help in phosphate solubilization and mineral release to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. However, beside naturally fertilizing and balancing mineral nutrition in the soil, many cyanobacteria are known to release various kinds of biologically active substances like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, polysaccharides and phytohormones that function as elicitor molecules to promote plant growth and help them to fight against biotic and abiotic stress. These metabolites produced by the cyanobacteria affect the gene expression of the host plants and thereby bring about qualitative and quantitative changes in the phytochemical composition of the plants. Experiments carried out with live inoculum or with the extracts of cyanobacterial strains on several plant species, such as rice, wheat, maize, cotton etc., have demonstrated the synthesis of signalling metabolites. Thus, in view of its beneficial effect, this paper reviews the role of cyanobacteria in triggering the growth and development of plants and hence its utilization in agriculture.

A review on possible elicitor molecules of cyanobacteria: their role in improving plant growth and providing tolerance against biotic or abiotic stress.

Mealybugs are common sap feeding pests that infest a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops. Besides weakening the plants, the honey dew secreted by mealybugs allow the growth of sooty mould, giving the plants a blackened appearance. Severe infestations can reduce plant vigour and lead to stunted growth and premature leaf fall. In India, different species of mealy bugs (viz. Planococcus citri, Planococcus lilacinus, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Paracoccus marginatus, Phenacoccus solenopsis etc.) have become major pests on various crops. Recently, invasive species like Phenacoccus madeirensis and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi have been recorded as serious pests on several host plants. The cassava mealy bug Phenacoccus manihoti, one of the most serious pests of cassava worldwide, has recently reached Asia, BOOK REVIEW

Mealybugs and their Management in Agricultural and Horticultural crops

Advances in Plant Biopesticides

A total of 12 taxa of odonata of nine Anisoptera and three Zygoptera were recorded during kharif 2000 in an irrigated rice field of Madurai. Among anisopterans, four species, Pantala flavescens (Fabricius), Diplocodes trivialis (Rambur), Crocothemis servilia (Drury) and Tramea limbata (Desjardins) were dominant. Among zygopterans, Agriocnemis femina femina Brauer was the dominant species recorded in weeded and partially weeded ecosystems. The four species of dragonflies and one species of damselfly had comparatively more abundance in partially weeded rice ecosystem than in weeded rice ecosystem. Rare species like Orthetrum sabina (Drury), Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus), Neurothemis tullia (Drury), Anax guttatus (Burmeister) and Trithemis sp. with fewer individuals occurred only at the tillering stage of crop growth.

http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2005/November/2051-2052.pdf

Relative abundance and diversity of odonata in an irrigated rice field of madurai, tamil nadu

Cyanobacteria or blue green algae are prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganism that produces a wide array of substances, including plant growth regulators. In the case of growth regulators, gibberellin, auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, abscisic acid and jasmonic acid have been detected in cyanobacteria. Many substances have been added to plant tissue culture media in order to promote plant regeneration. The present research communication gives a report of the study of the effect of extracellular products of  Plectonema sp., isolated from paddy fields on regeneration of rice. The endosperm of three rice varieties, IR 50, ASD 16 and ADT 36, were used as explants. IR 50 showed earlier and good callus induction response in MS medium. For root induction, cyanobaterial extracellular product was added instead of 2,4-D. The result showed that the number of days taken for root initiation and root growth was quicker by adding the extracellular products. Interestingly, more proliferation of roots in cyanobaterial extracellular product treatments was also observed compared to 2,4-D which might due to the production of growth regulators like auxin(s). Tremendous growth of root length and volume in short period indicate that MS with cyanobaterial extracellular product may also be used for screening of rice genotypes for water stress condition. Keywords: Callus induction, cyanobacterial extracellular products, Plectonema sp., rice, root induction

/pdf/organogenesis-induction-in-rice-callus-by-cyanobacterial-5gi64w9bgq.pdf

Organogenesis induction in rice callus by cyanobacterial extracellular product

An aqueous suspension and an ethanolic extract of neem seed kernel (NSK) at 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.5, and 5.0% concentrations were tested for ovipositional deterrency, feeding deterrency, toxicity, sterility, and insect growth regulatory effects on a larval parasitoid, Bracon hebetor. Neither NSK extracts delivered in the food or by contact influenced the B. hebetor oviposition (parasitization). They also did not cause parasitoid sterility through feeding, but they showed feeding deterrent effects for a limited period. Parasitoid eggs and pupae also were unaffected by the extracts tested. The parasitoid larvae, however, were killed by feeding contaminated host larvae and also through contact with neem extracts. Thus, a minimum safety period is suggested for inundative releases of B. hebetor in integrated pest management.

Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Neem ( Azadirachta indica ) Seed Kernel Extracts on Larval Parasitoid, Bracon hebetor

The ‘green’ agriculture through better ecological approaches in pest management is the stimulus for further research in alternate pesticides molecules barring synthetic ones, which led to increased search in plant sources. Among several options, neem, Azadirachta indica, has emerged as pinnacle of plant origin pesticides. Undoubtedly, the use of neem and its products in agriculture are increasing day by day, but its safety to the environment is always questioned. This review focuses on the biological activity of the plant origin insecticides on entomophages (parasitoids and predators), honeybees and the environment and provides ways and means to use them in integrated pest management. In general, the plant-derived pesticides, although effective against insect pests of agricultural importance, spare the beneficial fauna comparative to synthetic pesticide because of their capacities of biodegradable nature and innate low mammalian toxicity. Although some plant-derived products either in crude or in formulation showed slight to moderate ill effects to beneficial fauna including parasitoids, predators and honeybees during the application may greatly reduce the risk. No residual/persistent toxicity of neem or other botanical pesticides in the environment has so far been reported. In the context of organic agriculture, plant origin pesticides especially the neem-derived extracts/formulations and other biocontrol agents are the befitting components to reduce the input costs and environmental risks posed by the synthetic chemical pesticides.

Non-target Effects of Botanicals on Beneficial Arthropods with Special Reference to Azadirachta indica

Oils obtained from neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel, the Himalayan cedar wood (Cedrus deodara) and their combination (1:1) each at 3, 2 and 1% concentrations were tested against adults of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.). Cedar wood oil exhibited highest fumigant potential at 3, 2 and 1% concentrations showing corrected inhibition (knock-down) of 100, 100 and 96%, respectively. While neem oil + cedar wood oil (1:1) at 3, 2 and 1% concentrations inhibited 96, 84 and 51.66%. The least corrected % knock-down of 62, 45 and 32 were observed by application of neem oil at 3, 2 and 1%, respectively, by Potters spray tower in 24 h of treatment. However, corrected percent mortality of the same study reveals highest mortality in the cedar wood oil rather than neem and their combinations. Topical application by Arnold hand microapplicator at the rate of 0.5 μl per insect at 3, 2 and 1% concentrations of both the oils and their combinations showed negligible mortality after 24 and 48 h of treatm...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09251619708951280

Biopotentials of Azadirachta indica and Cedrus deodara oils on Callosobruchus chinensis

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