ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

promising in bioefficacy and growth promotion
activities. Field trials study confirmed that application
of Pf-1 + TDK-1 + Py-15 bioformulation reduced the
incidence of leaffolder, brown plant folder, stem borer
etc. in rice plants.
At IISR, Calicut, fifty six isolates of endophytic
bacteria were isolated from black pepper and
characterized. Nursery evaluation of short-listed
endophytes has confirmed the superiority of TC10, an
unidentified bacteria, in suppressing Radopholus
similis, irrespective of the black pepper variety. Two
Pseudomonas isolates (BP 17 and BP 35) were also
found to suppress R. similis significantly and found to
be quite effective against Phytophthora capsici, a
major pathogen of black pepper. Talc and chitin based
formulations of these three promising endophytic
bacteria were compared for their suitability and shelflife.
Chitin based formulations supported
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comparatively higher populations of bacteria (x 10
cfu/g) than talc-based, even after 90 days of storage.
Study confirmed that chitin based formulations would
be a viable option for management of two important
soil-borne problems of black pepper viz.
Phytophthora foot rot and burrowing nematodes (R.
similis).
A biological control strategy involving the
conservation and augmentation of the two major
predators viz. Dipha aphidivora and Microuns
igorotus has been developed for the management of
the Sugarcane Woolly Aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera
at PDBC, Bangalore. Augmentation of the predators
were achieved either by redistribution of wooly aphids
from high to low population density or by mass
production in shade net over a 6 months old
sugarcane crop already infected by the aphids.
Experiments in farmer's field have shown that release
of either 1000 larvae of Dipha or 2500 larvae of
Micromus per hectare suppressed woolly aphid
populations in 45 to 60 days.
At NCL, Pune, various formulations of the protease
inhibitor as biocontrol agent against fungal pathogens
were prepared. Talcum powder formulation was
found most suitable to control wilt of pigeon pea. This
formulation was used to coat pigeon pea seeds (ICPL
2376), which showed 45% disease control while
drenching gave 60% control. A maximum disease
control of 65% was obtained after additional
drenching. Study confirmed that drenching boosters
had the additional effect of enhancing the plant
growth. In the combination trials of mung bean, 80%
substitution of the chemical control agent was
achieved with the biocontrol agent.
At University of Hyderabad, efforts are being made
for the development of ecofriendly truncated peptides
of harpin from P. syringae as broad spectrum
biopesticides. So far, seven (four N terminally
truncated and three C terminally) truncated peptides
have been produced by cloning and expression of the
truncated versions of the HarpinZ in to pET28a vector
to produce truncated proteins. Four N terminal
truncated peptides were produced in E. coli BL21
DE3, while the C-terminal truncated versions are
currently being expressed.
At KFRI, Peechi, control of teak defoliator outbreaks
by seeding Baculovirus (HpNPV) in epicenter
populations is being attempted. Out break patterns
revealed that the sequence was similar to the
predicted pattern of development from epicenter to
epidemic phase. Modeling of virus transmission
showed that third and fourth instars are not suitable
for inoculation and manifestation of vertical
transmission, as even very low dose of HpNPV
caused total mortality in the parent generation itself.
At MPKV, Rahuri, in vitro production of nuclear
polyhedrosis virus of Helicoverpa armigera and
Spodoptera litura is being studied. Various cell lines
viz. Sf-9, Sf-21, Su-893, Su-992 and Ha-197 were
maintained. The wild type strains of SINPV were
collected and maintained Sf-9 cell line was found to
be best for multiplication of SINPV virus followed by
Sf-21 and Su-893 cell lines. The Sf-9 cell line was also
found susceptible for ACMNPV. About 3000 ml pure
in vitro SINPV was produced in Sf-9 cell line.
At Manipur University, Manipur, evaluation and
augmentation of viral pesticide viz. Pieris brassicae
granulosis virus (PbGv) for the control of cabbage
butterfly is underway. Bioassay of virus was initiated
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against 3 instar larvae and preliminary studies
indicated the utility of this virus for the control of
cabbage butterfly.
The role of elicitor to combat Panama disease of
banana is being studied at Sardar Patel University,
Vallabh Vidyanagar. Study confirmed that elicitors not
only protect plants from the Fusarium but also help in
53 Research and Development