Seven-day training on management of mites

The Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, conducted a seven-day training programme on “Identification and Management of Agriculturally Important Mites”.

Organised under the All-India Network Project on Agricultural Acarology (ICAR), the training aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of mite morphology, biology, seasonal incidence and management strategies, with special focus on taxonomic identification of phytophagous and predatory mites.

Manmeet Brar Bhullar, principal acarologist, coordinated the training, along with Paramjit Kaur, acarologist. Six participants attended the programme from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University and the PAU.

Bhullar provided insights into the morphological and taxonomic identification of predatory and phytophagous mites. She also discussed the status of mite pests in agri-horticultural crops and the identification of their natural enemies.

She emphasised eco-friendly mite management, advocating using botanicals and safer acaricides in vegetable cultivation.

Paramjit elaborated on seasonal incidence, biology, identification and damage symptoms of mites, highlighting their impact on open-field and protected cultivation. She also conducted practical demonstrations on mite collection, preservation and slide preparation techniques to enhance participants’ hands-on skills.

A visit to a farmer’s field in Nurmahal, Jalandhar, was an integral part of the training, where the farmer shared experiences on biorational mite management. The training concluded with an interactive discussion session, where participants engaged with experts to address key research challenges in acarology.