In a collaborative examine led by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the College of Calcutta and different establishments have developed a novel approach for fruit fly management which they are saying can doubtlessly revolutionise world efforts to fight the pests.
Fruit flies (tephritidae) infestations pose a big risk to world agriculture, impacting crop yields, meals safety, and worldwide commerce.
The analysis centered on true fruit flies collected from varied districts throughout West Bengal. The workforce sequenced mitochondrial COI gene areas from the fruit fly species discovered on cucurbitaceous crops like pumpkins, cucumbers, and gourds. The evaluation revealed 30 uniquely variable websites at nucleotide positions, thereby providing a “essential goal for species-specific interventions.
Highlighting the significance of the examine, Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the ZSI, stated, “Fruit flies are devastating pests, and in West Bengal, the place over 70% of rural households depend upon agriculture, our work is essential. This new technique is not going to solely defend crops but in addition cut back our dependence on chemical pesticides. By enabling focused pest-control measures, we will minimise environmental injury and empower agricultural professionals with precision instruments, shifting away from broad-spectrum approaches that may hurt non-target species.”
The injury is brought about both straight by the larvae of the fruit flies or not directly by dangerous microorganisms or decomposers that enter fruit and veggies by way of egg-laying holes made by the feminine fruit flies. This results in fruit rot, untimely dropping, and large financial losses, amounting to billions of {dollars} yearly.
This novel technique permits speedy, correct, and dependable species identification, facilitating earlier interventions and mitigating crop injury throughout outbreaks.
Researchers Ankush Mitra, Pubali Mitra, Pradosh Mahadani, and Subrata Trivedi imagine their findings will likely be instrumental in safeguarding agricultural productiveness. They envision this technique as being applied throughout numerous areas and utilized to a broader vary of pest species, establishing it as a flexible and highly effective method within the pest management sector.
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Dr Madhusudan Das, Professor, College of Calcutta, stated, “With growing inhabitants, the demand for wholesome meals continues to develop. So, guaranteeing sustainable agricultural practices is extra essential than ever. By figuring out particular fruit fly species with precision, extra sustainable pest management methods will be applied. This is able to additionally align with the worldwide push in the direction of lowering chemical pesticides in agriculture, thereby selling more healthy ecosystems and preserving biodiversity”.
