AGRIVENTURE SHRUSHTI

About AGRIVENTURE SHRUSHTI Bio Insecticides

• AGRIVENTURE SHRUSHTI is a naturally occurring soil bacterium primarily used as a highly specific biological pesticide in agriculture, forestry, and public health.
• It is favored because it targets specific pest larvae upon ingestion while remaining harmless to humans, pets, birds, and beneficial insects.

Technical Content of AGRIVENTURE SHRUSHTI Bio Insecticides

• Bacillus Thuringiensis – BT

Mode of Action

• Ingestion: Target larvae consume the BT spores and inactive crystal proteins (endotoxins) found on plant surfaces or in transgenic crops.
• Solubilization: The crystal proteins are water-soluble. They dissolve in the highly alkaline, high-pH environment (pH  9.0 - 10.5) of the insect's midgut.
• Activation: Gut enzymes (proteases) break down the inactive crystals into active, toxic protein fragments.
• Binding: The active toxins traverse the gut lining and bind to specific receptors on the epithelial (midgut) cells. (This provides target specificity, as only certain insects have the exact receptors needed to bind with specific BT strains).
• Pore Formation: The bound toxins change shape, insert into the cell membrane, and form structural pores.
• Cell Lysis & Death: The pores disrupt the gut's osmotic balance, causing the epithelial cells to swell and burst. The insect immediately stops feeding, suffers paralysis of the digestive system, and ultimately dies from starvation or septicemia.

Crop & Disease/Pest Mapping

1. Sprayable Microbial Biopesticides

• BT spores and crystal proteins are widely sprayed on  almost any crop facing caterpillar (Lepidoptera) or beetle (Coleoptera) infestations.
• Vegetables: Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli), tomatoes (fruit borers), potatoes, and eggplants.
• Fruits & Orchards: Apples, peaches, and berries.
• Grains & Row Crops: Soybeans and corn.

2. Transgenic (GM) Crops

• BT genes can be integrated directly into a plant’s DNA so the crop produces its own BT proteins. Suitability is dictated by commercial regulations and agricultural needs: 
• Primary Crops: Corn and cotton are the most common.
• Other Crops: Regional varieties have been developed for soybeans, rice, and potatoes.

Dosage per Acre

• 1kg/acre

Key Features & Benefits

• Highly Specific Targeting: BT produces crystal proteins that only activate in the alkaline digestive systems of specific insect larvae (like caterpillars and beetles). Different BT strains target different pest families without affecting unrelated insects.
• Lower Chemical Dependency and Residue: BT can be applied as a foliar spray right up to the day of harvest as it leaves negligible toxic residue on crops. This aligns perfectly with sustainable farming and organic agriculture standards.
• Transgenic Plant Integration (BT Crops): Strains of BT DNA are routinely inserted into crops like corn, cotton, and potatoes, allowing the plants to naturally synthesize their own pest-deterring proteins. This significantly lowers crop damage, decreases the need for pesticide spraying, and boosts yields.
• Resistance Management: By alternating different BT strains in foliar sprays, farmers can effectively combat pest populations that have developed resistance to traditional chemical insecticides.

Additional Information

• AGRIVENTURE SHRUSHTI kills specific insect pests depending on the bacterial strain. It generally targets three main orders of insects in their larval (caterpillar or grub) stages: 
• Lepidoptera (Caterpillars & Moths): Bt kurstaki and Bt aizawai target leaf-feeding caterpillars like the cabbage looper, European corn borer, tomato hornworm, gypsy moth, and armyworms. 
• Diptera (Flies & Mosquitoes): Bt israelensis targets aquatic insect larvae, including mosquitoes, black flies, and fungus gnats. 
• Coleoptera (Beetles): Bt tenebrionis targets leaf-eating beetles and their grubs, such as the Colorado potato beetle and elm leaf beetle.