Dr Vidyasagar PSPV, Expert in Red Palm Weevil, BT Cotton, Rice, Coconut and Pest Control

Dr. P.S.P.V. Vidyasagar

Ph.D. - 1978 - Insect physiology (Entomology/Zoology) from Bhopal University, Bhopal, India.

M.Sc. - 1971 - Zoology with Entomology (I class 2nd rank) specialization from Bhopal University, Bhopal, India.

B.Sc. - 1968 - Botany, Zoology & Chemistry from Andhra University, India

E-mail: vidyasagar49 (at) yahoo.com (repleace "(at)" with "@" before mailing, this was done to avoid spam mails to my mail box)

To know innovative solutions on weevil control visit here
www.redweevil.com

Reference: www.redpalmweevil.com

  
 
 
 		  

Foreign assignments
  • Short term consultancy with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 5th September to 12th October 1992.
  • Long term consultancy (deputation) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 1993 to September 1998.
  • Short term consultancy with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, Doha, Qatar, January 2002.
  • Agricultural Expert, NGO, Koi Samui Island, Surathani Province, Thailand, April, 2005.
  
   

Research Management / Administrative experience
  • Headed the Red Palm Weevil Control Project, Eastern Province and  Leader of Indian Technical Team, Ministry of Agric. & Water, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for 5 years from 1993 to 1998.
  • Established an exclusive laboratory for conducting research on Red palm weevil in KSA.
  • Head of Entomology section, C.P.C.R.I., Kasaragod, India for six years from 1987 to 1993.
  • Head of Entomology section, C.P.C.R.I., (R.S.), Vittal, Karnataka, India for two years from1985 to 1987.
  

Professional Associations

 Membership in scientific societies
  • Life Member, Indian Society for Plantation Crops, Kasaragod, India.
  • Life member, Association for Advancement of Entomology, Trivandrum, India
  • Councilor/Member, Applied Zoologists Research Association, Cuttack, India
  • Founder member of Indian Journal of Zoology, Bhopal, India
Editorial experience
  • Associate Editor/Treasurer of Indian Journal of Zoology – 1972-1982
  • Regional Editor of Journal of Applied Zoological Researches -1990-92
Others
  • General Secretary, Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA), Hyderabad, 2006-08.
  
   

Professional Experience

 I have conducted research on various agricultural pests, especially the pests of palms and plantation crops. Main emphasis was on the development and use of IPM methods.  During my career several problems were solved and bio-rational methods of control were advocated for the benefit of farming community.

For more than three years and three cropping seasons, I have been involved in Bt cotton research and trials of the company.  Since 2004, I was actively involved in planning and organization of GM cotton regulatory trials viz., RCGM and LSTs field trials as per the specifications of RCGM and GEAC.  In recent times, I have taken up the responsibilities of technical services of the company which are in formative stage.

  

Agricultural Expert / Research Scientist
  • As an Agricultural Expert/National Coordinator and Head of Plant Protection Groups in Saudi Arabia, planned, organized and implemented the national programme on the integrated management of Red palm weevil.
  • Prepared action plan, organized plant protection groups of different nationalities and coordinated the plant protection operations.
  • Established a modern laboratory for exclusive research on Red palm weevil.
  • Designed and conducted laboratory and field experiments with the assistance of scientific and technical staff.
  • Interacted with international experts from Canada, UK, USA, Egypt, France, GCC countries and others.
  • Attended conferences, high level meetings and actively participated in formulation of national policy matters on the pest. 
  • Compiled and edited technical reports.
  • Coordinated Extension Entomology work.
  • Conducted research on the pests of plantation crops, spices, cashew and rice besides multidisciplinary projects on cropping systems.
  • Designed and carried out laboratory and field trials at various places of India.
  • Results of research were disseminated to the farming community through the collaboration of extension department of the Institute as well as state agriculture departments.
  • Compiled and edited several publications of the Institute.
  • Attended conferences and presented results of research and reviews.
  

Teaching duties
  • For seven years taught Zoology/Entomology to undergraduate and postgraduate students.  Taken classes mainly on applied entomology (1971-78).
  • Taken classes on the IPM of plantation crops for extension workers of state agriculture/horticulture departments under various extension programmes.
  • Involved in drafting new courses on plant protection for vocational training at the national level.
  

Achievements

 Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.(RPW) an invasive pest has ravaged the date palm gardens of Middle East since its introduction in Saudi Arabia.  Evolved an effective IPM against this dreaded pest and managed to bring down the percentage of damaged palms as well as the pest populations substantially over a period of five years.  The Extension wing of the Agriculture Ministry has extended the tenure of consultant from three years to five years, recognizing the success of the IPM programme that was appreciated by all the visiting international experts.  Mass pheromone trapping of RPW was developed as an important component of IPM.  Due to its success in Saudi Arabia, the IPM on similar lines was subsequently duplicated in other Gulf countries.

 Conducted research on the biological and chemical control of economically important orange scale, Aonidiella orientalis Newstead and recommended management strategies.  Investigations on the bioecology of white grub pest of coconut and its management trials with botanical and chemical pesticides have resulted in recommendations for adaptation by farmers.  Under High Density Multi Species Cropping system trials, evaluated the performance of 14 component crops including vegetables from plant protection perspective.

Studies conducted on the biology and bionomics of cashew pests have led to the identification of sex pheromones in tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii (Meriidae:Heteroptera) a major pest of export crop cashew.  For the first time a breakthrough was achieved when, Halyomorpha marmorea F. (Pentatomidae:Hemiptera) was discovered as the insect responsible for causing severe tender nut drop in Areca nut (Areca catechu) palm an important commercial plantation crop in India.  Recommendations emerged for extension workers/farmers for controlling this pest from the studies on bioecology and chemical control trials.		  

Other Academic/Administrative activities
  • Chaired several technical sessions of national seminars/symposia/workshops.
  • Rapporteur of many technical sessions of national seminars/symposia/workshops.
  • Co-convener of organizing committee of National symposium.
  • Member, Secretary and Chairman of several research/administrative committees of the Institute.
  • Member of several important committees of national and international conferences organized by the Institute.
  

Selected Publications (few to list...)
  1. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Mohammed Hagi, Abozuhairah, R.A., Mohanna, O.A., and Saihati, A.A., 2000. Impact of mass pheromone trapping on Red palm weevil: Adult population and infestation in date palm gardens of Saudi Arabia. The Planter, 76(891): 347-355.
  2. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Saihati, A.A., Mohanna, O.A., Subbei, A.I. and Abdul Mohsin, A.M. 2000. Management of Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. a serious pest of date palm in Al Qatif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J. Plantn. Crops, 28(1): 35-43.
  3. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. and Subaharan, K. 2000. Role of behaviour modifying chemicals in management of key pests of palms. In ‘ Innovative pest and disease management in horticultural and plantation corps’. Eds. S. Narasimhan, G. Suresh and S. Daniel Wesley. Spic science foundation, Chennai. Pp121-126.
  4. Abraham, V.A., Al Shuaibi, M.A., Faleiro, J.R., Abozuhairah, R.A. and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 1998. An Integrated management approach for Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv., a key pest of date palm In Middle East.  Sultan Qadus Univ. J. Scientific Res., Agricultural Sci. 3: 77-84.
  5. Abozuhairah, R.A., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  and Abraham, V.A. 1996. Integrated management of Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F. in date palm plantations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. XX International Congress of Entomology, Florence, Italy, August 25-31, 1996. Tropical Entomology (Sect.).  Paper 17-033.
  6. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., and Mohammad Hagi 2004. A device for enhancing the field longevity of pheromone lure of Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. in date palm.(communicated)
  7. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 2000. Eriophyid mites on coconut and their management. Indian Coconut Journal. XXXI(2): 15-16.
  8. Chandrika Mohan, Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. and Vijay Kumar, K. 1997. A sampling technique to estimate white grub population in coconut garden. J. Plantn. Crops. 25: 68-71.
  9. Chandrika Mohan and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 1993. Bioecology of coconut white grub, Leucopholis coneophora Burmeitster In Kerala. J. Plantn. Crops, 21(suppl.): 167-172.
  10. Bhat, S.K., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  and Sujatha, A. 1993. Biology and control of Ratus rattus wroughtoni  Hinton, a pest of coconut in India .  In ‘Coconut Research and Development’.  Proc. International Symposium on Coconut Research and Development II (1991).  535-541.
  11. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  and Bhat, S.K. 1991. Pest management in coconut gardens.  J. Plantn. Crops,  19(2) : 163-182.
  12. Hegde, M.R., Yusuf, Mohd. and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  1991.  Problems and prospects in growing vegetables in coconut garden.  Indian Coconut J.   XXII (1) : 2-5.
  13. Bhat, S.K., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. and Sujatha, A. 1990. Record of Rattus rattus wroughtoni as a pest of oil palm seedlings.  Tropical Pest Management, 36: 75-76.
  14. Nair, M.K., Iyer, R.D., Rajagopal, V. and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 1994.(Ed) Plantation crops research and development. Proc.  PLACROSYM-X, Kasaragod, India. pp.  360.
  15. Siddiq, E.A., Sarma, N.P., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Reddy, P.S., Madhusudhana Rao, K., and Tilak, K.V.B.R. 2003. M.S. Swaminathan-The Face of Indian Agriculture, Ricarea, Hyderabad. Pp.70.
  16. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  and Shama Bhat, K. 1986.  A pentatomid bug causes tender nut drop in arecanut.  Curr. Sci.  55 : 1096-1097.
  17. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  1991. Studies on Halyomorpha marmorea F. (Pentatomidae:Heteroptera) associated with tender nut drop in arecanut. J. Plantn. Crops  18 (Suppl.) : 305-311.
  18. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Devasahayam, D. and Koya, K.M.A. 1988.  Sexing of live adults of the ‘Pollu’ beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Mots. (Chrysomelidae-Coleoptera).  Curr. Sci.  57: 869.
  19. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Devasahayam, D., Koya, K.M.A. and Premkumar, T. 1989. Record of wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock (Homoptera:Coccidae), infesting clove seedlings in Kerala, India. Entomon  14 : 359-360.
  20. Sundararaju, D., Bhaktavatsalam, N., Joy, J.N. and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  1992.  Presence of sex pheromone in tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii (Sign.) (Heteroptera:Miriidae).   Entomon  19: 47-51.
  21. Devasahayam, S., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.,and Koya, K.M.A. 1998. Reproductive system of ‘Pollu’ beetle, Longitarsus  nigripennis  Mots. (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) a major pest black pepper, Pepper nigrum Linneus. J. ent. Res. 22(1): 77-82.
  22. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 2001 Reproductive system in the rice yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas Walker. J. Appl. Zool. Researches 13(1): 47-53.
  23. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. and Kulshreshtha, J.P. 1983. Observations on the nature of damage to rice earheads by thrips, Haplothrips ganglbaueri Schmutz. Curr. Sci. 52(4): 173-174.
  24. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V.  and Walia, S. 1987.  Effect of certain dillapiole and cyclopropane compounds on yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) eggs. Entomon  12 : 345-348.
  25. Qayyum, M.A. and Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V. 1977.  Effect of certain environmental factors on the cerebral neurosecretory cells of American cockroach, Periplaneta  americana (L.).  Experientia  33 : 1622-1623.
  26. Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Sastry, M.V.S., Sarma, N.P. and Madhusudhana Rao, K. 2005. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in New Millennium India. M.S. Swaminathan Award 2005, Souvenir, October 2005.Published by RICAREA, Hyderabad. pp70.
  27. Siddiqui, E.A., Vidyasagar, P.S.P.V., Sarma, N.P., Reddy, P.S., and Madhusudhana Rao, K. 2003. M.S.Swaminathan: Face of Indian Agriculture. Published by RICAREA. October 2003. pp92.
©2007-2008  Dr Vidyasagar PSPV, vidyasagar49 (at) yahoo.com