This book has been prepared with the sole objective to compile the present status of knowledge regarding insect pests, diseases and nematodes of citrus and their management strategies. Therefore, the efforts have been made to collect, and compile the existing world literature on citrus health management and also to collate it with the climatic regimes. The ever growing and piling up information on their varied aspects of the pest-hood of insect pest, disease and nematode species, with respect to their distribution, incidence, damage caused, epidemics, life history with population dynamics, recent advances in the pest management strategies including cultural, chemical and biological control measures and also the latest additions like the use of pheromones, spray oils, botanicals, integrated pest management etc. have been touched upon. The pictorial account of some of the pests will not only provide the credence to the subject but also make it easier to understand. This modest book incorporating the latest scientific information on insect pests, diseases and nematodes will be of immense help not only to the citrus entomologists, pathologists and nematologists but also to all the citrus workers who are actively involved in maximising the quality production of citrus in pursuit of catching up with the advanced citrus growing countries. The book will certainly be a valuable reference tool for scientists, professors, teachers and students as well as for progressive farmers.
Dr V J Shivankar did his graduation in Agriculture (1973) from Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola and Post Graduation and Doctorate in Agril. Entomology from University of Udaipur (1973-1980). He joined Agri. Research Service at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi in December 1978, and served there as Scientist S-1 and Sr. Scientist till he joined National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC), Nagpur in February, 1993. He worked on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and also studied the region specific insect pest problems in citrus. He took over as Director, NRCC, Nagpur w.e.f. August, 2008 for a period of five years.
He has about 100 scientific publications to his credit including the research papers, popular articles, book chapters, technical/extension bulletins, folders, scientific reports etc. He has also co-authored six books devoted to citrus. He was awarded Dr. R.P. Srivastava Gold Medal for his significant contribution in IPM. He served on several academic bodies like Board of Studies, Academic Research Councils of SAUs in Maharashtra and Gujarat and the Senate of the RTMNU, Nagpur. He was bestowed with the “fellowship of ISC” (2006) and Confederation of Horticulture Assoc. of India (2012) for his contribution to citrus research and development.
Dr Dilip Kumar Ghosh, Principal Scientist, NRC for Citrus, Nagpur and International FAO consultant did his Masters and PhD in Plant Virology from IARI, New Delhi. He is engaged in research to develop molecular tools for sensitive diagnosis of virus/viruslike diseases of citrus budwood certification program. Dr Ghosh was a visiting scientist at University of Florida, USA (2000 and 2010); invited speaker in International Citrus Congress held in China (2008) and a consultant in Nepal (2011 and 2012). A fellow of three different scientific societies viz. Indian Phytopathological Society and CHAI, New Delhi and SAB, Karnataka, Dr Ghosh also worked as a member of various important academic committees; Associate Editor of Indian Journal of Virology and Indian Phytopathology, Councillor, Indian Phytopathological Society, Organizing Secretary, National Symposium on Plant Pathology etc. Dr Ghosh organized number of training programs for the scientific and technical staff working in countries like Oman, Nepal, Bhutan etc. and published 40 research articles in reputed international and national journals.
Dr. Ashis K. Das obtained his M. Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi in 1991 and 1996 respectively. Presently he is working as Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology) at National Research Centre for Citrus, Nagpur. Having research experiences over 18 years, his area of interest includes molecular identification and diagnosis of Phytophthora spp., Xanthomonas citri pv. citri and Huanglongbing, HLB (greening) and developing integrated management strategies for combating these dreaded diseases. Dr. Das, till date, has published 38 research papers in national and international journals, 9 popular articles 1 book and 4 extension bulletin/folders and 7 book chapters/ review articles. He attended the International Research Conference on Huanglongbing held in Orlando, Florida, USA and the 12th International Conference on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria held in Reunion Island, France to deliver oral presentations. He may be contacted at dasashiskumar@hotmail.com.
Dr. C.N.Rao has an experience of 15 years of research in Citrus entomology. Important areas of his research are citrus insect pests and their management particularly biological control, evaluation of bio-rational insecticides, monitoring insecticide resistance, host plant resistance and semiochemicals. He is a recipient of Dr. Pradhan Gold medal during Ph.D. at IARI, New Delhi. He has undergone training on use of semiochemicals in citrus insect pest management at Citrus Research and Education Centre, Lake Alfred, University of Florida, USA. He has 32 research papers besides several technical bulletins, book chapters, review articles, popular articles and an interactive CD to his credit. He may be contacted at nandikesh@yahoo.com
