The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute here has developed a bio-pesticide from tapioca for effectively tackling pests destroying vegetables and fruit plants.
The pilot application of the pesticide in banana plantations here has been found highly successful and it could be considered a major step forward in avoiding the ill-effects of chemical pesticides, especially in view of the growing worldwide demand for organic products, a senior scientist at the CTCRI said.
Research in this direction was conducted by a team led by Dr C.A. Jayaprakas, Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Crop Protection.
“We isolated the insecticidal principles from the leaves and tuber rinds of tapioca (cassava) and developed the bio-pesticides which could act against noxious insect pests afflicting field crops,” Jayaprakas said.
Tapioca is an important tuber crop cultivated over 80 countries and its tubers are used as a staple or subsidiary food.
After harvest, large quantities of the biomass such as cassava leaf (5-7t -ha ) and tuber rinds (15-23 per cent of the tuber) are generally thrown as waste.
Leaf of cassava is a rich source of protein and other nutrients. Nevertheless, the toxic principles in it are a constraint to commercially exploit this as a cattle feed or allied purposes.
Bio-pesticides from cassava could be used for the management of borer pests like pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis) in banana, red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) and other borer pests of tree and fruits crops.
A formulation has also been made against sucking pests like mealy bugs, aphids and leaf eating caterpillars.