New Approach Lets NPV Control Pod Borers

WASHINGTON - Jan 27/04 - SNS -- A viral spray is being used to effectively control pod borer insect pests in India and other countries.

The insect, Helicoverpa armigera, attacks nearly 200 crops including cotton, pigeonpeas, beans, cereal grains, vegetables, and fruits. The insect results in an estimated US$2 billion in crop losses annually, while around US$500 million is spent on insecticides to combat the caterpillar.

Applications of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) have turned out to be a less expensive alternative, and researchers say the virus has no effect on people, other insects, animals, or crops; while killing larger percentages of pod borer populations.

Large-scale use of NPV was limited in the past because the virus could be produced without the use of live host insects. ICRISAT in collaboration with a host of regional, national, and international partners and donors found a way to overcome this technical hurdle and increase the availability of the virus for human benefit.

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here