Insect Pests of Vegetable, Ornamental and Spice Crops (2+1)

Course Overview

Vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. Eating sufficient vegetables daily is important to maintain our health. Similarly, spices have nutritional and medicinal merits. Some spices are so aromatic that they are not only used in food, but they are also used to enhance other products. The economic importance of ornamentals has been increasing rapidly day by day and the demand of cut flowers, flowering pot plants, tree and nursery crops, flower bulbs, and other propagation material is also increasing. Vegetables, ornamentals and spice crops are being grown through the country and play an important role in the upliftment of the economy of our farmers. But at the same time these crops suffer heavily due to the attack of insect pests. Some of the insect pests are so serious that if they are not managed in time entire crop may be destroyed . Hence, through this course, the students will be acquainted with different species of insect pests attacking theses crops in different parts of the world. A comprehensive information regarding identification of insect pests, their natural enemies, damage symptoms, life cycle and host range of different insect pests will be available in the text. Students will also get latest information regarding the management strategies employed against the insect pests of these crops. Economic importance, crop loss assessment, pest survey and surveillance, and environmental impacts of chemical pesticides will also be dealt in this course.