India, Nov. 9 -- In a significant breakthrough for the agriculture sector, scientist Vandana Ghormade and her team have from Agharkar Research Institute unveiled an innovative, eco-friendly solution to tackle Helicoverpa armigera, commonly known as the gram pod borer, a pest which causes severe damage to chickpea crop.

Responsible for global chickpea losses of around USD 330 million annually, the pest not only threatens chickpeas but also infests cotton, pigeonpea, maize, tomato, and other crops. India, the world leader in chickpea production with nearly nine million tonnes annually, faces significant losses due to Helicoverpa armigera. Traditional chemical pesticides have long been used to control pests, but over time, the insects have ...