UAF VC for developing new biopesticides to curb locusts

FAISALABAD: University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf has directed the locusts research and development cell to accelerate the pace of work and develop new biopesticides to curb locusts that were playing havoc with the agriculture sector.

He said this while chairing a performance review meeting of locusts’ cell of the varsity here on Monday. Entomology Chairman Dr Mansoor, Dr Jalal Arif, Dr Muhammad Saghir, Dr Amir Rasool and others scientists attended the moot.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf directed the meeting to analyse rearing life cycle and other aspects on the scientific basis. He said that Entomology, Bio-Chemistry and Physics scientists would work jointly on the research. He said that the Dhatura, Neem, Euclyptus and number of the other plants extracts should be tested for the toxic effects against the locusts at the earliest on the population present in the lab.

He showed his concern that the excessive use of lambda cyhaothrin on locusts control may cause shortfall of the pesticides for cotton use. Therefore, the scientists should develop effective and low cost biopesticides to avert its attack in future, he suggested.