African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Article in Press

A review on the scenario of insect pests of brinjal and their management

Jeewesh Kumar

  •  Received: 05 August 2015
  •  Accepted: 20 July 2016
Brinjal, an important and indigenous cash crop is attacked by a group of leaf eating, sucking pests and borers during its life-span, reducing potential yields. The production and quality of fruits are mainly affected by number of insect pests, especially shoot and fruit borer, L. orbonalis which acts as a limiting key factor in profitable cultivation of the crop. The infestation of L. orbonalis on brinjal crop was observed maximum during August –October when temperature and humidity were conducive for its multiplication. Recently, transgenic/genetically modified technology has emerged as an alternative to chemicals in controlling insect-pests, reducing pesticides and related problems, and providing some other benefits. However, the use of genetically modified (GM) technology has raised some apprehensions like safety of food, affordability of technology, impact on biodiversity, and safeguarding of environment. Nevertheless, first GM food crop (viz. Bt brinjal) has been developed in India and it can be readily taken for field cultivation. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of insect-resistant GM (or biotech) crops in increasing. The use of insecticides has been found very promising in suppressing the pest ravages; however, frequent and enormous use of synthetic insecticides had posed the problems of resistance and resurgence against this pest and caused contamination of their residues on fruits. It is, therefore, imperative to avoid such problems by use of novel insecticides, incorporation of safer techniques especially bio-pesticides in order to pave the way for sustainable, safer and eco-friendly management of this pest.