AK

Aravinthraju K

Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, World Vegetable Center, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Research areas: Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Insect Science · Insect-Plant Interactions and Control · Hemiptera Insect Studies · Insect Pest Control Strategies

ORCID iD 0000-0002-7652-2839
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About

I’m Aravinthraju K, Ph. D. Research Intern (Entomology), World Vegetable Center, Taiwan and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. I’m a dual National Eligibility Test (NET) holder, qualified NET exam conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research and University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India in respective subjects of Agricultural Entomology and Environmental Sciences. I have completed my post graduate studies from Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India and awarded M.Sc. degree during the year 2021. My post-graduate research was on “Management of Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Guava, Psidium guajava Linn.”, where I conducted many experimental trails for managing tea mosquito bug using bio-control agents, botanicals, insecticides and also experimented some integrated pest management modules against tea mosquito bug. Including that biology, ovipositional preference, varietal preference, seasonal incidence of tea mosquito bug were observed and made regression prediction model for its incidence.

I did my under graduation at Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India during the year 2014-2018. On that time I was more passionate towards entomology and used to be involved in research works at Phyto-insecticide lab, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India. Hence I had knowledge on methods of botanical extractions, related instruments, insect culturing and bio-assays. In addition qualified UG Diploma (Horticulture Nursery management) and Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) online certificate course (Pest Diagnosis).

My research experience as Senior Research Fellow at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University was 16 months. Worked under Government of Tamil Nadu sponsored scheme in “Developing Integrated Pest Management Module for Maize Fall Armyworm and Validation under Area wide Integrated Pest Management (AWIPM) through farmers participatory in Tamil Nadu F360T” and also in the scheme on “Basic and Applied Research with Newer Insecticide Molecules on Agricultural and Horticultural Crops TNAU & M/S. Syngenta MoU (Project 2) – Scheme code – F37ALL”. There I had conducted field experiments on “Ecological Engineering for Control of Fall Armyworm by raising cereals, millets, pulses and vegetables as border and inter crops” and “Evaluation of newer insecticide molecules against major pests of citrus and top shoot borer and root borer pests of sugarcane”. Involved in conducting Regional Fall Army Worm (FAW) Mela, exhibiting components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Capsule for the Management of Maize Fall Armyworm, executing demonstrations (40 No's) to farmers on IPM Capsule for FAW Management and conducting training programs (10 No’s) along with exhibition on IPM Capsule for Maize Fall Armyworm management to the farmers, input dealers and extension functionaries.

As my publication is concerned, it was Ten research articles, two edited book, six book chapters, nineteen popular articles and one cover story. I have attended Ten international conferences, thirteen national conferences, seven workshops and two trainings during which published ten extended abstracts and seven abstracts with six oral and twelve poster presentations. I was awarded with two best oral presentation awards, three best popular article awards and two innovative popular article awards. In addition I was serving as reviewer for journals of different publishers including Springer Nature. Also I am a Student member in Entomological Society of America, Royal Entomological Society, and Society of Invertebrate Pathology; Annual member in Entomological Society of India, Indian Ecological Society; Associate member in All India Agricultural Student Association.

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Projects & Funding

  • Studies on development of new biocontrol agents to manage leafminer, thrips and whiteflies in vegetable crops World Vegetable Center
    2024 - 2025

Publications (22)