The pesticide solution was found to be effective against noxious beer pests like red palm weevil in coconut and pseudo stem weevil in banana. A large quantity of biomass, including leaves and tuber rinds are discarded after the harvest of tapioca' while the leaves are store house of proteins and other nutritive compounds,they cannot be used as animal feed or for other purpose because of the presence of certain toxins in them.
The research team managed to isolate the bio-active molecules from the leaves. Tuber rinds and tender twigs of tapioca. The Eco-friendly insecticide solution formulated from the biomass has been named Nanma. One kg pf tapioca leaf yields up to eight liters of the bio pesticide. This "Nanma was more effective than chemical pesticides like Furidan. The leaves ,after extraction of bio -pesticide, are free of toxins.
The researchers are exploring the possibility of using the nutritive by product as animal feed. The three-member team including research scholars L Ragesh and R.S Sreerag has applied for a patent on the technology. The Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) extended financial assistance.
Prof. John Kurakar
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