R. Balasubramanian – författare

Panditji Jawaharlal Nehru was noted to quote “Everything else can wait but not agriculture” which shows the deep knowledge he possessed regarding agriculture. It is estimated that there are 30,000 farmers engaged in organic agriculture in India. With second largest arable land next only to USA, a hoary agricultural tradition, India sustains the second largest population in the world. The ancient land has been tilled since time immemorial and has seen the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires. However, agriculture is still the back bone of Indian economy providing succor to 65 percent of the population. The average age of an Indian being 25, the pangs of youth and energy need is manifold. The demographic dividend has to be milked fully if India needs to go beyond the current development rate of 8% through provision of affordable and nutritious food. Dependence of inorganic fertilizers has led to burgeoning fertilizer subsidy thus siphoning off funds that are crucial to develop irrigation potential. Application of organics for supplementing chemical fertilizers and slowly improving soil potential can usher in evergreen agriculture. This book covers the whole spectrum of organic farming starting ancient wisdom to current day research and will be useful to all those who would like to know about organic farming.

This eye-opening book focuses on the development of techniques to mass-produce reduviid predators and important generalist predators, an endeavor that won’t prove sufficient if the cost of commercialization is prohibitive. Advancing mass production to the level of economic feasibility is critical, so that these new technologies can compete in the open market.

This book commences with a review of the diversity of reduviid predators in agro-ecosystems world-wide, followed by chapters on their feeding behavior, biology, gut microbiota, their enzyme profile, body protein and genomics, and DNA and field evaluation reports. The field evaluation of reduviids, a worldwide undertaking, is addressed in the last chapter.

Each chapter includes a separate conclusion and future recommendations. Detailed information is also included on ingredients and artificial diet preparation, storage and the impact on predators. The artificial rearing of reduviid predator for crop pest management is an essential reference and teaching tool for teachers, researchers and extension workers in developed and developing countries alike, allowing them to produce reduviid predators and important natural enemies in biocontrol and bio-intensive integrated pest management programs.

The book offers an excellent resource for all those who are working on beneficial arthropod mass production. It is also an essential reference guide for agricultural and biological sciences scientists, entomologists, crop protection specialists, extension workers, and consultants.