EPN POWER
KK Agrotech (Biosolutions) is a prominent agricultural solutions company headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra. With a strong commitment to sustainable farming practices, the company has carved a niche for itself as a manufacturer of high-quality organic pesticides, organic fertilizers and biofertilizers. In an era where environmentally friendly and sustainable farming is of paramount importance, KK Agrotech (Biosolutions) plays a pivotal role in providing farmers with innovative, eco-friendly products to enhance crop yields while reducing the environmental impact. One of the notable achievements of KK Agrotech (Biosolutions) is its acquisition of a license for ICAR SBI EPN (Entomopathogenic Nematodes) technology. This prestigious partnership has enabled the company to manufacture and market EPN products under the brand name "EPN Power." EPN technology is a cutting-edge bio control method used to combat various pests in agriculture. This innovative approach harnesses the power of beneficial nematodes to naturally control harmful insects particularly white grubs. KK Agrotech (Biosolutions) is dedicated to creating a positive impact on the agricultural industry by promoting the use of organic pesticides, fertilizers, and biofertilizers, and through its EPN Power brand, it is poised to lead the way in the realm of eco-friendly pest control solutions.
BACKGROUND-
White grubs generally known as Chafers, May or June beetles all over the world have become a challenging pests for our farmers in various parts of the country particularly in parts of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar and Tamilnadu. The damage caused by this pest range between 40 and 80 per cent in endemic pockets. The white grub family Scarabaeidae has a high diversity of species, and many of them have become important pests. The common white grubs are Holotrichia spp. Leucopholis spp. Maladerainsanablis, Brahmina spp. Anomala spp. Melolontha spp. & Phyllognathus spp. No crop is completely free from or resistant to the attack of these grubs. The larvae of white grub feed on the main roots and subsequently damage the underground portion of the crops. Generally, the damage caused by white grubs is in patches, but during epidemics the entire crop in a field may be dried up. The pest is becoming more and more severe every year as they are spreading to regions where they had not been recorded as a pest in the past years. The problem is of very serious nature and need urgent attention for control. Until and unless concerted efforts or integrated pest control measures are made in endemic grub pockets, it would not be possible to suppress this menace.
Insecticide issue and white grub management Though chemical insecticides such as carbaryl, endosulfan, chlorpyriphos, organophosphates, methyl parathion dust are effective in the management of earlier stages of white grubs but there are several limitations while using indiscriminately, such as ineffective in later stages of grubs due to resistance as well as extremely hazardous nature, Beetles carcinogenicity, pollution to environment and ground water sources. Hence there is an urgent need for development of an effective, ecologically safe and sustainable technologies of protection against white grubs.
EPN POWER: Potential biopesticide against insects especially white grubs among the suitable alternative control measure against insect pests, biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes is gaining greater attention world over. EPN become important in IPM programme as biopesticides and are commercially used to control insect pests worldwide. EPN occur naturally in soil environments, locate the insect pests in response to carbon dioxide and chemical cues from them. EPN infect different types of soil insects belongs lepidopteran (butterfly families), coleopteran (beetle families) and dipteran (flies family). Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) of the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema having symbiotically association with bacteria of the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus respectively and kill the insects in 24 - 48h. EPN are microscopic, non-segmented roundworms that are obligate parasites of insects. The Infective Juveniles (IJs) of EPN are free-living nematode stage is well adapted to long-term survival in the soil. The IJs carries its symbiotic bacterium in the anterior part of its intestine. It invades the insect host through natural openings (mouth, anus, tracheae) or directly through the cuticle. They release the symbiotic bacterial cells into the insect's haemocoel. The bacteria produce toxins and other metabolites which kill the insect within 24 to 48 hours after nematode invasion.
EPN POWER is beneficial for several reasons:
1. They have wide host range that they can be used successfully on numerous insect pests;
2. EPN POWER kill their insect hosts within 48 hours;
3. The IJs are durable and can stay viable for months when stored at the proper temperature;
4. They are compatible with various insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers;
5. Besides having high bio-control potential, these nematodes have the capability to recycle in the environment, are safe to the human health, plants, environment and beneficial insects. This makes nematode use for insect pest control safe and environmental friendly.
EFFICACY AGAINST WHITE GRUBS:
EPN POWER is an effective and potential biopesticide for the management of white grubs associated with several cultivated crops like sugarcane, arecanut, coconut, banana, paddy, upland rice millets, wheat, sorghum, cardamom, groundnut, potato, maize, lucerne alfalfa, ginger, cocoa, vegetables, chilli, okra, brinjal, onion, cucurbits, amaranthus, forest nurseries etc,
Application: 2/3 Kg /Acre (soil drench) the ideal time of application is at evening hours so EPN can become active at night without risk of sunlight damage.
Give more concentrated application in the border rows extending to five to seven meters inside the field. Mix the EPN POWER with water (150 gram EPN POWER/Sprayer tank) and can be drenched with a sprayer (nozzle and inside filters of the spray equipment should be removed to prevent them from becoming clogged with nematodes) in each sugarcane clump / any crop by making a 15-20 cm pit using a crowbar (sugarcane / maize) or Thoroughly Mix the EPN POWER (2/3 kg) with 100 kg soil or FYM for 1 acre and broadcast in the field and irrigate the field immediately.
Active ingredients: Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema glaseri