PEDAVEGI, 12 July 2025: In a major breakthrough for sustainable agriculture, the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR), Pedavegi, has successfully developed and standardized a biological control solution for the management of Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSW), a serious pest affecting oil palm plantations across India.
The institute reported that an entomopathogenic fungal isolate, R55, has demonstrated high efficacy in controlling whitefly infestations, a major concern for oil palm farmers due to the pest's destructive feeding habits and resistance to conventional pesticides.
Key Findings:
- Fungal isolate R55 has been identified as a potent biocontrol agent against Rugose Spiralling Whitefly.
- Field trials conducted over two years showed over 96% reduction in pest population, significantly improving plant health and yield.
- A low-cost mass multiplication technique for this fungal biopesticide has been developed and standardized, enabling easy adoption by farmers and state agriculture departments.
This eco-friendly solution offers a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, helping to reduce environmental impact and prevent pesticide resistance among pest populations.
Supporting India’s Palm Oil Mission
The development aligns with India’s broader vision under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which aims to reduce palm oil imports and promote domestic cultivation. By controlling RSW effectively, the new biocontrol technology can lead to improved oil palm productivity and farmer profitability.
Expert View
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, DG, ICAR, praised the development, stating, “This innovation is a step forward in sustainable pest management and will greatly benefit India's oil palm growers. Biocontrol technologies like this are key to achieving our agricultural and ecological goals.”
The ICAR-IIOPR team is now working with extension agencies and KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) to scale the application of the R55-based solution in oil palm growing regions across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Northeast India.
