ICAR-DFR, Pune Organises Two Days Online Workshops on Pest Management and Beneficial Insects in Flower Crops

26 October 2026, Pune

ICAR–Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune, organised two days online workshops on 26 and 27 October 2026 to strengthen the technical capacity of scientists, technical officers and research scholars associated with All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Floriculture Centres across the country.

The workshop on “Pests of Flower Crops: Diagnosis and Management Practices”, today, addressed major insect pests, non-insect pests and plant-parasitic nematodes affecting flower crops.

Dr K. V. Prasad, Director, ICAR-DFR, Pune, delivered the introductory remarks and highlighted the importance of accurate pest diagnosis and scientific management practices for protecting flower crops and improving floricultural production.

The technical programme comprised three sessions. The first session focused on insect pests of flower crops, covering their identification, diagnostic symptoms, nature of damage and management practices. The second session addressed non-insect pests and their management, while the third session focused on plant-parasitic nematodes affecting flower crops. The discussions emphasised pest monitoring, surveillance, integrated pest management (IPM) and the safe and judicious use of pesticides. The concluding remarks highlighted the importance of technical capacity-building initiatives for effective pest management in floriculture.

The second workshop, “Beneficial Insects Associated with Flower Crops,” was organised online on 27 October 2026. The technical session focused on beneficial insects associated with flower crops, covering their diversity, ecological roles, identification and field recognition, conservation strategies, habitat management, and integration into IPM programmes. The workshop highlighted the importance of pollinators, predators, parasitoids and other natural enemies in supporting crop production and promoting environmentally sustainable pest management. The concluding remarks emphasised the relevance of beneficial insects in floriculture and the need to strengthen their conservation and utilisation in crop protection.

The two workshops provided a platform for technical knowledge exchange and capacity building among professionals working in floriculture research and extension. By addressing both pest management and the conservation and utilisation of beneficial insects, ICAR-DFR, Pune, reinforced the importance of integrated, science-based approaches to crop protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable floricultural production.

A total of 110 participants attended the two workshops, which focused on pest diagnosis and management and the identification, conservation and utilisation of beneficial insects in flower crops.

(Source: ICAR–Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune)