Insect Pheromones (Bioactive Molecules) as Tools in Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Research and Development at IICT

11-19World over the versatility of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cleaner and better agro products is very well known established agro practice. IPM is an eco-friendly and environmentally safe alternative to the highly harmful and environmentally hazardous Pesticide Application Technology. Insect Sex Pheromones (Bioactive molecules) offer selective methods of pest control, as they interfere with natural behaviour of insects specially in locating the mate for reproduction. Insect Sex Pheromones play a major role in IPM practice/approach. Considering the importance and practical utility of Pheromones for quality agicultural outputs, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, (IICT, CSIR) with its strength in Organic Chemistry is actively-pursuing research on Insect Pheromones, as one of the thrust areas. The research is actively pursued in the following four major disciplines: isolation and identification of pheromone systems of hitherto unidentified economically important pests relevant to Indian agriculture; process development on pheromones; dispenser technology development on pheromones; and field trials with indigenously synthesized components