The past couple of decades have witnessed global resurgence of herbal-based health care. As a result, the trade of raw drugs has surged globally. Accurate and fast scientific identification of the plant(s) is the key to success for the herbal drug industry. The conventional approach is to engage an expert taxonomist, who uses a mix of traditional and modern techniques for precise plant identification. However, for bulk identification at industrial scale, the process is protracted and time-consuming. DNA barcoding, on the other hand, offers an alternative and feasible taxonomic tool box for rapid and robust species identification. For the success of DNA barcode, the barcode loci must have sufficient information to differentiate unambiguously between closely related plant species and discover new cryptic species. For herbal plant identification, matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS, trnL-F, 5S-rRNA and 18S-rRNA have been used as successful DNA barcodes. Emerging advances in DNA barcoding coupled with next-generation sequencing and high-resolution melting curve analysis have paved the way for successful species-level resolution recovered from finished herbal products. Further, development of multilocus strategy and its application has provided new vistas to the DNA barcode-based plant identification for herbal drug industry. For successful and acceptable identification of herbal ingredients and a holistic quality control of the drug, DNA barcoding needs to work harmoniously with other components of the systems biology approach. We suggest that for effectively resolving authentication challenges associated with the herbal market, DNA barcoding must be used in conjunction with metabolomics along with need-based transcriptomics and proteomics.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/pbi.12419

DNA barcoding: an efficient tool to overcome authentication challenges in the herbal market.

Tea is prepared from the tender leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis (L.). In sub-Himalayan tea plantations of North-East India, different management practices are followed to protect the tea crop against different sucking insect pests such as Helopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae), Empoasca flavescens (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Most plantations are managed conventionally through the use of different organo-synthetic insecticides, whereas some are managed organically by using herbal and microbial insecticides. In conventional tea plantations, organo-synthetic insecticides of different functional groups (organochlorines, organopho- sphates, synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids) are routinely applied round the year to keep the sucking insect pest populations under control. A variety of defence mechanisms, including enzymatic detoxification systems (carboxylesterases, glutathione S-transferases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases), physiological tolerance and behavioural avoidance, protect insect herbivores from these hazardous compounds. Insect pests have evolved mechanisms to degrade metabolically (enzymatically) or otherwise circumvent the toxic effect of many types of chemicals synthesized as modern insecticides. The extent to which insects can metabolize and thereby degrade these toxic or otherwise detrimental chemicals is of considerable importance for their survival in an unfriendly chemical environment. These mechanisms continue to evolve as insects attempt to colonize new plant species or encounter newer molecules of synthetic insecticides. The level and type of detoxifying mechanisms differs greatly, which, therefore, results in varying toxicity among different stages, species and populations. Variation in detoxifying enzyme activity is responsible, in part, at least for the selective toxicity of different insecticides, the development of resistance to insecticides and the selection of host plants. Overexpression of these detoxifying enzymes, capable of metabolizing insecticides, can result in higher levels of metabolic tolerance/resistance to synthetic insecticides.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E295B4E276D8CA00456ED1532E2DF26D/S1742758412000380a.pdf/div-class-title-insecticide-resistance-mechanisms-in-three-sucking-insect-pests-of-tea-with-reference-to-north-east-india-an-appraisal-div.pdf

Insecticide resistance mechanisms in three sucking insect pests of tea with reference to North-East India: an appraisal

Southern Chinese Medicine (SCM) is an important sect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with its own special cultural style. Species identification is essential for TCM quality control because authentic herbs are possibly substituted with adulterants that would threaten the health of the public or even cause death. Here, we provided the first local reference DNA barcode library based on the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) for the molecular identification of SCM. A total of 1512 specimens of southern herbs representing 359 species were collected under the instructions and identification of taxonomic experts. Genomic DNA was extracted, and the PCR reaction proceeded according to standard procedures. After Sanger sequencing, sequence assembling and annotation, a reliable ITS2 barcode library with 1276 sequences from 309 species of Southern herbs was constructed. The PCR efficiency of the whole samples was 84.39%. Characteristics of the ITS2 barcode were analyzed, including sequence lengths and GC contents in different taxa. Neighbor-joining trees based on Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) genetic distances showed a 67.56% successful rate of species identification with ITS2 barcode. In addition, 96.57% of species could be successfully identified at the genus level by the BLAST method. Eleven plant species were discovered to be cryptic. In addition, we found that there is an incorrect sequence existing in the public database, making a reliable local DNA barcode reference more meaningful. ITS2 barcodes exhibit advantages in TCM identification. This DNA barcode reference library could be used in Southern Chinese Medicine quality control, thus contributing to protecting public health.

/pdf/constructing-a-dna-barcode-reference-library-for-southern-4ghzx402r5.pdf

Constructing a DNA barcode reference library for southern herbs in China: A resource for authentication of southern Chinese medicine.

Chilli leaf curl disease complex is a major important viral disease. The crop grown in Jharkhand usually suffers seriously from this disease. Considering the economic importance of the disease prersent investigation has been carried out. Causing significant reduction in yield roving survey to know the incidence of chilli leaf curl virus disease was undertaken in Chutia, Pithoria, Bukru, Boreya and Sukurhuttu villages of Ranchi district. The survey results clearly indicated that the incidence of disease varied from 24.55 to 75.53% depending on the season in which the crop was grown. Incidence was low during Rabi, 2015-16 (24.55 -32.27%) and high during Kharif, 2016 (55.42 -75.53 %). All the plants of chilli infected with chilli leaf curl disease complex causes vein clearing on young leaves at the early stages of infection upward curling of young and old leaves and stunting in most cases. Curling of fruits could be seen in mature plants. Leaf curl caused by mites shows downward curling of leaves, partial suppression of lamina near the petiolar end and a shiny bronze colour on the lower surface of the leaves. Emerging young leaves in infected plants become brittle narrow and thicker. Leaf curl due to thrips results upward curling of leaves and interveinal buckling. Irregular scrapping of epidermis could also be seen. In chilli, the most obvious symptoms caused by P. latus is progressive inward rolling of leaves in an inverted boatshaped manner and has a shiny, silvery lining on their ventral surface, rat tailing of leaf petiole and brittleness of foliage, buds are aborted and flowers distorted, shoots grow twisted and fruit may be mishappen and russeted. Among different insecticides three times soil application of Carbofuran 3G (30 Kg/ha) recorded minimum average disease incidence (19.26%) with the highest yield of (87.78 q/ha) and recorded maximum disease reduction over control (38.23 percent) during Rabi, 2015-16 cropping season. In Kharif season, effect of different insecticides on leaf curl disease incidence, fruit yield and yield attributing characters of chilli were very low in comparison to Rabi season with higher leaf curl incidence, lower fruit yield and cost benefit ratio. It was appearance from the evaluation of plant products/ botanical in full conditions that plant product effectively reduce the disease as compared to control. Two sprayings of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% was recorded to the most efficacious botanical in reducing disease incidence (23.45 percent) coupled with highest yield (64.45 q/ha). Application of NSKE 5% @ 5ml/lit was highly economical which recorded cost-benefit ratio of 1:17.13 and net returned of Rs. 1,5543/which recorded highest net return /ha among all the plant products. The efficacy of integrated management on chilli leaf curl disease complex showed that minimum disease incidence (12.58%) was recorded in treatment-2 [One time soil application of Carbofuran 3G @ 30 Kg/ha + 2 spray of Imidacloprid @ 0.003%] with the highest disease reduction over control (61.12%)]. Among seven varieties screened against ChLCV, none of the varieties were found free of disease in both Rabi and Kharif seasons. Leaf curl incidence was highest during Kharif season than Rabi season in all varieties. The effect of varieties on yield attributing characters of chilli revealed that the variety Pusa Jwala showed maximum mean plant height (44.14 cm), mean no. of branches/plant (5.82) ,mean no. of fruits/plant (5.69) , mean length/fruit (6.90 cm), mean breadth/fruit (0.97 cm) and mean weight/plant (71.49 gm) in Rabi season as compared to Kharif season which has comparatively less mean plant height (35.89 cm), mean no. of branches/plant (5.48),mean no. of fruits/plant (4.75), mean length/fruit (5.65cm) , mean breadth/fruit (0.59 cm) and mean weight/plant (41.26gm).

Occurrence and management of chilli leaf curl disease complex

The chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a cryptic species complex of at least 9 distinct species, 2 (South Asia 1 and East Asia 1) of which exist in the USA. To integrate chemical insecticides and mycoinsecticides into the preventive and curative tactics used for S. dorsalis, we evaluated 10 older and newer chemical insecticides and 3 mycoinsecticides against S. dorsalis South Asia 1, a dominant member of the species complex in the USA. An insecticide was considered effective when it induced greater than 70% mortality of larvae or adults. The older insecticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam [foliar application], and imidacloprid [drench application]) were found to be efficacious in reducing S. dorsalis populations in both curative and preventive situations (≥7 d after treatment). Among insecticides with newer chemistries, foliar application of spinetoram, cyantraniliprole, tolfenpyrad, and formulations of chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam were effec...

/pdf/evaluation-of-insecticides-for-curative-preventive-and-3qhgx1ebkt.pdf

Evaluation of insecticides for curative, preventive, and rotational use on Scirtothrips dorsalis South Asia 1 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

The field experiment conducted during Kharif 2008-09 and 2009-10 on evaluation of certain new insecticides indicated that spinosad 0.015 per cent was found most effective in reducing the population of S. dorsalis as well as in increasing yields. It attains highest cost benefit ratio followed by diafenthiuron 0.045%, pymetrozine 0.02% and fipronil 0.01%. Indoxacarb 0.015 % and flubendiamide 0.012 %. Further flubendiamide recorded the lowest mean per cent reduction over untreated check indicating their poor efficacy against S. dorsalis on chillies. th chillies contributing to almost 1/4 of the world's production. In India, chilli is grown in an area of 8.06 lakh ha, with a production of 12.98 lakh tonnes (Agricultural Statistics at a glance, 2009). The important chilli growing states in India are Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and also in a number of other states as a round the year crop. In Andhra Pradesh, chilli is cultivated in an area of 1.89 lakh hectares with a production of 2.08 lakh tonnes. Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh alone contributes to over 35 per cent in area under chilli crop in India. The important pests are thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood), white mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae Sulzer as sucking complex and tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) as pod borers (Rao and Ahmed, 1985). Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thysanoptera : Thripidae) is a serious pest of Capsicum annuum L. in India, responsible for leaf curling (Ananthakrishnan, 1971). It multiplies appreciably at a faster rate during dry weather periods and the yield loss caused by the thrips is reported to range from 30-90 per cent (Borah, 1987 and Varadharajan, 1994). Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh is traditionally a chilli growing district with an area of 63,573 ha with high input usage under monocropping conditions. Further, intensive cultivation of input responsive high yielding varieties and hybrids and sole reliance on insecticides are the common features of chilli cultivation in Guntur district. The excessive dependence on insecticides, their over use and abuse has accelerated insect control problems through development of insecticide resistance (Reddy et al., 1992), pest resurgence, pesticide residues (Joia et al., 2001), reduction in natural enemy population and environmental contamination. Moreover, several of the chilli consignments meant for export were rejected stating higher insecticide residues being the culprit, thus lots of foreign exchange lost by way of rejections. Further there were several reports from farmers experiencing difficulties in pest control. Many conventional insecticides are being used to manage these pests with which many folds of resistance was reported in pests like S. litura (Prasad et al., 2008), Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Wang et al., 2002), H. armigera (Kranthi et al., 2002) etc. The occurrence of insecticide resistance strains can be reduced or delayed by reducing the selection

Field Evaluation Of Certain Newer Insecticides Against Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips Dorsalis (Hood)

The field experiment conducted during Kharif 2008-09 and 2009-10 on the evaluation of certain new insecticides indicated that spinosad 0.015% was found most effective in reducing the population of S. dorsalis as well as in increasing yields. It attains highest cost benefit ratio followed by diafenthiuron 0.045%, pymetrozine 0.02% and fipronil 0.01%. Indoxacarb 0.015% and flubendiamide 0.012%. Further flubendiamide recorded the lowest mean% reduction over untreated check indicating their poor efficacy against S. dorsalis on chillies.

https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue2/PartD/5-1-220-937.pdf

Effect of newer insecticides against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood)

Insecticide Resistance in Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis in Andhra Pradesh

Toxicity of certain novel insecticides against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood).

A field trial revealed peak incidence of Spodoptera litura in terms of larvae was observed during last week of December 2004 and the incidence had no significant relationship with temparature, relative humidity and wind speed. The results of chemical control trial indicated that indoxacarb @ 0.0145% and thiodicarb @ 0.075% were most effective in reducing larval population of S. litura besides recording higher fenugreek seed yield.

P Rajasekhar

Papers

Field Evaluation Of Certain Newer Insecticides Against Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips Dorsalis (Hood)

Effect of newer insecticides against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood)

Insecticide Resistance in Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis in Andhra Pradesh

Toxicity of certain novel insecticides against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood).

Seasonal incidence and management of Spodoptera litura on Fenugreek