Significant Achievements

• Identification of major forest insect pests and their natural enemies in nurseries, plantations and natural forests of tropical forest trees and their damage assessment.
• Biology, ecology and seasonal history of the major insect pests in laboratory and field.
• Investigations on ecofriendly and biorational alterations of insect pests along with the conventional methods.
• Development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for management of major forest insect pests in nurseries, plantations and natural forests.
• Identification of alien forest invasive insect species (AFIIS), their damage assessment and management.
• Developed model for management of white grubs in nurseries.
• First report of three new white grub species, Holotrichia rustica, H. mucida and Schizonycha ruficollis damaging teak seedlings in central India.
• Investigated Bacillus thuringiensis as potential biopesticides for management of insect pests in nurseries and plantations.
• Screened out relatively resistant teak clones against teak pests.
• Searched out indigenous egg parasitoid, Trichogramma raoi as potential biocontrol agent to control teak pests.Trichocard prepared and distributed to SFDs/Pvt. nursery growers.
• Mushroom cultivation techniques demonstrated in Demo village samiti.
• Published Compendium on Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve.
• Published Biosphere Information Series (BRIS) Volume 1(1), 1(2), 2(1-2) and 3(1-2) on Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve.
• Submitted UNESCO biosphere nomination form of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, for consideration to include in World Network of Biosphere Reserve.
• A new damping- off disease of Withania somnifera caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in central India was reported.
• Integrated management of vascular wilt disease of aonla was developed and suggested to SFDs (Seoni) for its control.
• Application of beneficial soil microbes and organic amendment enhances survival and     growth of sandal seedlings.
• Recorded a new species, Nitschkiatectonae associated with teak mortality from central India, three new records of wood decay fungi were also reported from India
• Strains of different biofertilizers (AM fungi, Rhizobia, Azotobacter, PSB) were collected from MP, MS, CG and Orissa and the efficient strains isolated by field and laboratory experiments.
• Application of AM fungi in combination with Azotobacter and Azospirillum facilitated growth of teak and bamboo significantly.
• Decline of sandal by heart-rot incidence caused by Phellinus caryophylli in Seoni (MP) was recorded. Protection of sandal areas from fire, grazing and inducing natural regenerations through plantations of suitable host was recommended.
• Trainings on Application of Organic fertilizers and organic pesticides in Forest Nurseries of MPSFD and C.G. Forest Division R & E facilitates growth of seedlings significantly.
• Bee keeping or apiculture demonstration provided in TFRI-Demo village, Sikhara, North Seoni Forest Division.