Nematodes to soon replace pesticides

"For the first time in Pakistan, National Nematological Research Centre (NNRC), University of Karachi (KU), will release nematode samples to local growers and farmers which will replace pesticides.

Nematodes are small parasitic animals that can kill bacteria without leaving any harmful impact on crops.”

This was recently announced at the concluding ceremony of three-day workshop entitled, ‘Biological Control of Root-knot Nematode in Vegetables using EPN’ organised by the National Nematological Research Centre, KU.

The workshop, inaugurated by KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser, concluded on the note that excessive use of pesticides in crops leaves harmful impacts. There impacts are harmful for human health and lead to severe human diseases and illnesses.

In order to deal with this situation, use of nematodes can be extremely fruitful. The aim of this workshop was to stimulate awareness, upgrade knowledge and improve skills of participating farmers, extension workers and students on EPN technologies developed by the NNRC for the biological control of RKN in vegetables.

About 60 participants from Agriculture College, Multan, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam (ARI), Agriculture Training Institute, Sakrand, (ATI) Sindh, Directorate of Agriculture Extension, Hyderabad, Office of Agriculture Extension, Tando Allahyar, Office of Agriculture Extension, Mirpurkhas, Sindh, Agriculture University, Tandojam (SAU), Agriculture University of Faisalabad (AUF), a while number of progressive growers and representative of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture and Sindh Abadgar Board also participated in the workshop.

Thorough inspection of NNRC field was made by the participants about the diseased plant roots infested with root-knot nematodes (symptoms of nematode attack on roots).

The conventional techniques of identification of both nematodes were discussed and demonstrated. Besides basic techniques different methods of biological control were demonstrated using EPN against different plant pests (insects). Dr MA Maqbool, former director, National Nematological Research Centre, KU, in his speech applauded the effort made by the staff and students of National Nematological Research Centre to hold the international workshop for transfer of technology of biological management to farmers in a befitted manner.

He also emphasised the fact that the field applications of biocontrol organisms like entomopathogenic nematodes as biopesticides must be applied to enhance the agricultural production of the country as these nematodes are beneficial and have no adverse effect on human and environment.