A field experiment was conducted for two years (1994–96) to evaluate three nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFBs) namely Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Beijerinckia as foliar biofertilizers on mulberry (Morus spp.). Foliar application of these bacteria in their specific culture media with half of the recommended dose of N as a basal application of chemical fertilizer were compared with the recommended dose of N (300 kg/ha per year in four equal splits) but without biofertilizer. Other controls for comparison were respective culture media with half N. All the NFBs improved leaf yield over their respective controls (specific culture media). The addition of Azotobacter resulted in significantly greater yield than that given by the recommended dose of N. The Beijerinckia treatment resulted in a leaf yield equal to that from the recommended dose of N and Azospirillum reduced leaf yield in comparison to that from the recommended N treatment although the yield from Azospirillum treatment was more than that from the culture medium treatments. A combination of NFBs where Azotobacter was one of the components improved leaf yield over single NFB treatments. NFBs also resulted in improved leaf quality as indicated by their protein content and their impact on silkworm rearing and cocoon production when treated leaves were subjected to bioassay. The use of these NFBs, particularly the Azotobacter, as a foliar biofertilizer to increase mulberry leaf production has not been investigated before.

The eight improved mulberry varieties i.e. S 146 , K 2 , S 1635 , AR 14 , TR 10 , BR 2 , S 1 & AR 12 were introduced in mulberry garden of Department of Applied Animal Sciences and theses varieties were evaluated for nutritional potential by feeding experiments. Weighted quantities of leaves of each variety were fed to mulberry silkworms and data were collected and evaluted. The larvae feeding on BR 2 leaves were observed the higher weight of mature larvae and showed improved economic traits i.e. cocoon weight, shell weights and silk percentage in comparision to other varieties.

Studies were conducted on the effect of pruning time, host age, urediniospore release and weather parameters on the incidence and intensity of mulberry leaf rust (Peridiopsora mori). Rust severity significantly increased with increasing shoot age, irrespective of pruning time. Maximum disease severity was observed in plants pruned during the third week of October, and minimum severity in plants pruned during last week of November. Apparent infection rate was higher in younger shoots. Infection rate was higher in plants pruned during the last week of November. Urediniospore release was influenced by prevailing climatic conditions. A higher rate of spore release was noticed during sunny days. Maximum spore release was found between 12.00 h and 14.00 h. Spore release was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Rust severity (34.97%) was higher in January and least (1.03%) during May. Rust severity was negatively correlated with both temperature and rainfall. An exponential model was developed for the prediction of rust severity which was accurate up to 96.60%.

The bio-suppression of sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Walker during epidemics in 2007 by its potential nymphal and adult ecto-parasitoid, Epiricania melanoleuca Fletcher in command area of three sugar mills of Uttar Pradesh covering an area of approximately 40,000 ha with commendable success could serve as a model for pest management in other areas also. The sugarcane Pyrilla, which initially appeared on wheat, fodder sorghum, barley and grown up sugarcane, later migrated to autumn, spring plant and ratoon during March-April. The over wintering population of nymphs survived to a great extent due to mild winter which favored the fast multiplication of nymphs into adults. These nymphs developed into adults during March and started breeding profusely and caused the havoc. The population of Pyrilla and its parasitoid was assessed during rapid roving survey. The leaves bearing parasitoids were redistributed in sugarcane fields @ 5000 cocoons + 5 lacs eggs/ha or 10000 cocoons/ha in absence of eggs of Epiricania. The E. melanoleuca played a major role to control the Pyrilla population. The insecticidal spraying operation, which was not recommended, resulted in a saving of about Rs.1600/ha besides avoiding environmental pollution. The splendid control of the Pyrilla epidemic has once again proved that conservation of natural enemies and augmentation through field redistribution could be effective components in bio-suppression of Pyrilla. Hence, it is inferred that if ecto-parasitoid Epiricania melanoleuca cocoon is available in field @1-5/leaf at Pyrilla population level ranging from 20 to 150 nymphs+adults/leaf, the insecticides should not be sprayed at all.

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Spraying is very tedious and time consuming operation. There is a need of an efficient, precise and high capacity machine for spraying. The pesticide with conventional sprayers is not so effective because non-uniform spray and of lesser width of coverage. Distribution of pesticide is not uniform especially at the underside of the leaves. The pest can be controlled effectively if pesticides are applied properly at the right rate, right time and on the target by right equipment. In field crops like cotton the pest attacks is on the lower side of the leaves during vegetative as well as reproductive stages of the cotton crop. The sprays with conventional sprayer do not enter at the bottom of the plant canopy and at lower side of the leaves. Different type of sprayers are being developed especially for the control of white fly in cotton crop. These sprayers can also be used for crops like sugarcane, potato etc. Air assisted electrostatic sprayer, Auto rotating gun type sprayer, Multipurpose high clearance sprayer and even drones are now a days used for spraying in cotton crop. Multipurpose high clearance sprayer mostly preferred by the farmers has three types of spraying arrangements namely auto rotate gun, boom type and drop up type nozzles can work at all stages of the crop and saves time, labor and cost of operation as well as it reduces drudgery of the operation. Selection of nozzle is also important for these type of sprayers. Automatic controller can be fitted on these sprayers for adjusting the discharge and to reduce missing or overlapping of spray.

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