Biopesticides and Bioagents

Md. Arshad Anwer, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor-cum-Jr. Scientist in the Department of Plant Pathology at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour-Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. He is engaged in developing low-cost biopesticides that have increased shelf life. His areas of interest include the development of preliminary information of economically important pathogens associated with maize and the ability to recognize key diseases and their hot spots through survey and surveillance of major crops under agro-ecological condition. He is also working on panama wilt of banana and host specificity of plant pathogen, evaluation of biocontrol agents against wilts of several crops, and establishment of sick-plots for studies on several soil borne plant pathogens. He is associated with more than eight research groups at BAU, Sabour, including maize research team, viz. organic farming, host parasite research groups, bacteriology, mycology research group, biopesticides and bio-fertilizer research groups. He teaches undergraduate as well as postgraduate students and has published 24 peer-reviewed research papers including one book and seven book chapters, mostly in publications from the USA, UK and Italy.

Status of Biopesticides and Biocontrol Agents in Agriculture: An Overview. Trichoderma: An Impeccable Plant Health Booster. Aspergillus Niger: A Phosphate Solubilizing Fungus as Biocontrol Agent. Fluorescent Pseudomonads: A Potential Bio-Control Agent Against Plant Diseases. Entomoathogenic Fungi: Introduction, History, Classification, Infection Mechanism, Enzymes and Toxins. Entomopathogens and Their Mass Production and Application. Entomopathogenic Nematodes: An Emerging Biocontrol Agent for Insect Pests Management. Role of Insect Viruses in the Management of Insect Pests. Trichogramma: An Egg Parasitoid in Insect-Pest Management. Coccinellids in Insect Pest Management: Problems and Prospects. Chrysopid: A Potential Bio-Control Agent. Genetically Modified Crops for Insect Pests and Disease Resistance. Bacillus thuringiensis and Insect-Pests’ Management. Role of Phytochemicals in Insect Pests’ Management.