IPM Innovation Lab Trip Reports

Country Visited: Nepal

Dates of Travel: February 20- March 5, 2016.

Travelers Names and Affiliations: Amer Fayad (IPM IL ME, Virginia Tech) and Naidu Rayapati (Washington State University),

Purpose of Trip: Conduct a survey of virus diseases of vegetable crops for the Nepal Associate Award and conduct a workshop on “Training on Diagnosis of Plant Virus Diseases in Vegetable Crops”.

Sites Visited: Banke, Bardiya, and Surkhet districts

Description of Activities/Observations:

February 20: Fayad traveled from U.S. to Nepal

February 22: Fayad reached Kathmandu

February 23: Rayapati traveled from India to Nepal; Fayad met with iDE staff and discussed the purpose of this trip and the program for the field visits and the workshop.

February 24: We traveled to Nepalgunj (Banke district) by air. We were met by Vijaya Paudel, IPM coordinator for Banke and Surkhet. We met the PAHAL team leader and discussed the Mercy Corps and PAHAL projects in Nepal and possible areas of collaboration. We traveled to Sitapur VDC and visited a KISAN field. We observed cucumber plants showing wilting symptoms. KISAN is disseminating the use of Cuelure for management of fruit flies. We advised farmers to reduce water logging to manage wilting. We also advised them to delay insecticide spray till after harvest as farmers were spraying same day they harvest.

We visited NARC Khajura campus and met with the staff. We observed pepper plants showing yellowing and curling, tomato plants with leaf curl-curl-like symptoms, lablab beans with severe yellowing. We collected samples from three different lablab varieties (multi location trials).

We traveled to Manakama village in Sorpur VDC. We observed zucchini plants showing virus-like symptoms. Adjacent fields with later sowing date of zucchini showed almost 100% virus disease. The crop is almost completely dead. All samples were processed on FTA cards.

February 25: We traveled to Bageshwori VDC. We observed severe wilting on red bell pepper (most likely Sclerotinia). In one Zucchini field, farmer initially observed virus-like symptoms starting in one plant and symptoms eventually spread to the whole field. Farmer used trichocompost. In a KISAN field in Udhrapur, we observed severe downy mildew on cucurbits in plastic tunnels. We advised farmers to remove the plastic as temperatures were getting warmers and high humidity was a major factor to the fungal disease development.

We also visited Munalbasti village in Bardiya district. In several farmer fields we observed severe infestation of crucifers by aphids with severe damage from the insect and fungus. Tomato plants had leafcurl-like disease symptoms. We collected samples and processed them on FTA cards.

In Guleria VDC, we visited cucumber fields. Farmers were participating in the national IPM program, and were using Cuelure for managing fruit flies. They also use Jholmol (local plant extract mix, dung, urine, fermented and sprayed).Trichoderma was not available for farmer to purchase or use. Insecticidal sprays included cypermethrin. We advised farmers to remove and destroy old plants and plant residues to reduce the virus inoculum source in the field.

February 26: We traveled to Chinchoo VDC, Surkhet district. We visited farmer fields near Chinchhoo-3 and Damar Gau. One farmer was using drip irrigation, Jholmol, Mancozeb on tomatoes and cucumber. We observed no virus-like symptoms in this field. We advised the farmer to use Trichoderma to improve plant vigor. In an adjacent potato field, we observed no virus-like symptoms. Broadleaf mustard were showing virus-like symptoms. We visited Maintada Jaharae village. There we collected potato samples showing virus-like symptoms. Immunostrrip tests showed the presence of PVY and PVX. Blight symptoms were also observed.

In Satmule of Mehelkuna VDC we noticed that farmers are setting up their seed bed/nursery adjacent to their fields, especially old tomato crop. We advised about the potential negative effects of this practice and that old crop could (in this case was) serve as inoculum source for new virus infections. In an adjacent tomato field, plants were showing leaf curl disease-like symptoms. Potato plants were stunted and showed leaf curling. All samples were processed on FTA cards.

Fayad and Rayapati using immuostrips for virus detection in the field.

February 27: We traveled to Itaura. There we visited cucumber fields (in tunnels, healthy- looking) and cauliflower showing severe damage by aphid infestation. We advised farmers to spray insecticide to reduce the aphid population. Every broadleaf mustard plant showed virus-like symptoms. Potato plants showed blight-like symptoms and few showed virus-like symptoms. Fruit and shoot borer seems to be a major problem on eggplants. We advised farmer to use EFB traps.

Potato plants showing virus-like symptoms

We visited a KISAN field in Pokharikada VDC and observed leaf curl symptoms on tomato. The farmer routinely uproots and destroys plants showing virus-like symptoms. The crop looked healthy and the yield was very profitable. Farmers in this field are using plastic trays and Trichoderma to raise seedling but they do not use nets.

In Kunathari VDC we visited zucchini, tomato, peas, and cauliflower fields and collected samples with virus-like symptoms from all except cauliflower that showed aphid damage. In one cucumber plastic tunnel, severe damage due to aphid feeding was observed. Open field tomatoes showed a variety of symptoms ranging from leaf curl, to purple leaf, to reduced leaf size. These tomato were negative to CMV, TMV, and PVY using immmunostrip assays. All samples were processed on FTA cards.

Tomato plant showing purple discoloration.

Crucifer plants showing aphid damage.

February 28: We traveled to Jarbutta and visited a farmer field. We observed no virus symptoms on cucumber, bittergourd, and onion. One farmer used soil solarization for his nursery bed that was placed far from crop. In the greenhouse, the farmer used a mixture of soil and trichocompost. Broadleaf mustard showed virus-like symptoms. Another farmer used vermicompost and cocopith for tomato seedlings covered in burlap. Jholmol was used in the cucurbit greenhouses. Plants looked healthy. Ash was used for aphid control. In one tomato field, plants had purple leaf symptom and leaf curl. Peas showed mosaic symptoms. All samples were processed on FTA cards. We returned to Kathmandu by air.

Aphid infestation on cucumber plants in the plastic house.

February 24: We traveled to Dahachowk and visited commercial tomato breeding and other tomato fruit production greenhouses. We collected tomato samples showing mosaic symptoms (one tested positive for TMV using immunostrips) and others with leaf curl symptoms. We also observed broadleaf mustard and cucumber with virus-like symptoms. All samples were processed on FTA cards.

March 1-3:

We conducted a three day "Training on Diagnosis of Plant Virus Diseases in Vegetable Crops" at the Plant Pathology Division of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in Kathmandu. The main objective of this workshop was to provide training on plant virus disease diagnosis and management. This workshop was jointly organized by the IPM IL, VT, WSU, NARC, and iDE Nepal.

More than 60 participants and guests attended the inaugural session on March 1st. It was chaired by Dr. Baidya Nath Mahto, NARC’s Chief of Plant Pathology Division. Dignitaries in attendance included Navin Hada (AID Project Development Specialist/Agriculture, Social, Environmental and Economic Development Office, USAID/Nepal), Ganesh KC, Nepal’s former Agriculture Secretary, and Bharat Upadhyay (Executive Director, Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development- CEAPRD) as along with others from NARC, iDE headquarters, Plant Protection Directorate, Plant Biotechnology Division, and Mercy Corps.

Eleven (five female, six male) early career scientists were selected for the training from NARC stations across the country, including scientists from Plant Pathology Division, Horticulture Research Division, Hill Crop Research Programme, Plant Protection Directorate, CEAPRD, and iDE.

We designed and delivered an interactive participatory workshop with field visits, lectures, and lab work. Topics covered basic virus characteristics, epidemiology, and management. Special lectures and laboratory sessions addressed the various dimensions involved in the detection of plant viruses and the capacity to conduct these techniques in NARC. A lot of focus was put on plant virus diseases, especially those of importance to Nepal and South Asia.

Participants were given hands-on experience in identifying virus symptoms in the field, collecting samples for disease identification, and conducting serological techniques (ELISA, Immunostrips) for virus detection. This showed that, even with limited resources and facilities, such diagnostic assays can be done successfully to achieve intended results and impacts at NARC stations.

This workshop is the result of continued collaboration between IPM IL and NARC, and highlights the exemplary partnership among IPM IL, NARC, and NGOs like iDE and CEAPRD to train the next generation of agricultural scientists and extension personnel for overall capacity building in Nepal.

Workshop participants, NARC, Kathmandu (photo by Bimala Colavito)

We demonstrated ELISA including all steps involved (preparing buffers, grinding samples, loading the ELISA plates, incubating, washing, diluting antibodies, adding antibodies, substrates, and reading results). This was a two-day process involving several incubation periods. During those periods, we discussed the theoretical and practical aspects of ELISA and other serological techniques. We also discussed management of plant virus diseases and focused integrating these into IPM programs. We also shared copies of a review article “Methods for the detection of plant virus diseases” written by R.A. Naidu and J. d'A. Hughes.

Tomato plants showing virus-like symptoms

March 3: Rayapati traveled back to the U.S.

March 4: Fayad met with iDE staff and discussed the results of the field visits and briefed them about the workshop. Discussions also focused on closing out the associate and the new phase of the project.

March 5: Fayad traveled back to the U.S.

Training Activities Conducted:

Training Location Male Female Training on Diagnosis of Plant Virus NARC- 6 6 Diseases in Vegetable Crops Kathmandu

Workshop participants practicing ELISA (loading primary antibody).

ELISA results. Yellow color indicates a positive reaction. Suggestions, Recommendations, and/or Follow-up Items:

Based on our previous field visits and discussions with plant pathologists at NARC headquarters and NARC Regional Agricultural Research Stations, we still believe that virus diseases are major constraints to vegetable crops such as cucurbits, leafy vegetables, peppers, okra, potato, and tomato. Almost all plant virus diagnostics/ identification in Nepal is based on symptoms only. There are no trained virologists at the NARC stations or CEAPRD, KISAN offices, who can carry on project activities related to IPM strategies for management of virus diseases.

One recommendation we presented to USAID mission personnel, iDE, and NARC during our previous visit in July 2014 was to train early career scientists at NARC, especially those in the regional stations in Surkhet, Khajura, Banke, and Pokhara, in virus diagnostics/ identification. This was materialized by our collaboration with iDE and NARC with support by USAID in conducting the workshop in Khajura last year and this workshop at NARC Kathmandu during this visit.

There is a still a need for training young scientists from DADO and NARC in virology and production and use of biocontrol agents.

We propose visiting Nepal toward the end of 2016/ early 2017 and conducting an additional virus survey in Banke and Surkhet districts of Nepal in order to survey dry season tomato. We should also plan for a follow up training workshop in virus diagnostics at NARC, specifically for early career scientists in NARC system.

Summary Recommendations:

 Follow up on molecular characterization of virus samples collected to identify specific viruses.  Similar to our previous year’s recommendation, iDE IPM IL staff, KISAN, and CEAPRED should advise farmers on virus disease management. IPM components include the following: o resistant varieties o healthy seedlings (growing seedlings in plastic trays with coco pith, Trichoderma under net covers, rouging infected plants in the first 30-40 days after transplanting) o using appropriate crop density o controlling virus vectors o removing infected crop residues o removing alternate weed hosts o crop rotation  iDE/ PAHAL/ KISAN work with private to improve the availability of IPM components (pheromone traps, plastic trays, coco pith or other alternative, Trichoderma, biopesticides, and biofertilizers) through Agrovets and local service providers.  Advocate for commercial nurseries that can sell healthy seedlings at more affordable prices to farmers  iDE/ IPM IL conduct training to KISAN staff and farmers in IPM field demonstration plots.  Printing fact sheets and pest identification catalogues on IPM technologies and important diseases and insects

List of Contacts Made: Contact Info Name Title/Organization (address, phone, email) Navin Hada Project Development Specialist USAID, Nepal USAID/Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977-1-) 400-7200 Ext: 4162 Email: [email protected]

Baidya Nath Mahto Chief & Principal Scientist, Plant Pathology Division, NARC, Lalitpur, Kathmandu Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal. Email: [email protected] Luke Colavito Country Director IDE Nepal Office IDE Nepal Bakhundole, Latipur Kathmandu, Nepal Tel +977-1-5520943 Email: [email protected] Komal Pradhan National Program Director IDE Nepal Office iDE Nepal Bakhundole, Latipur Kathmandu, Nepal Tel 977-1-5520943 Email: [email protected] Sulav Paudel IPM Program Coordinator, IDE Nepal Office iDE Nepal Bakhundole, Latipur Kathmandu, Nepal Tel +977-1-5520943 Email: [email protected] Lalit Sah Regional IPM Coordinator IDE Nepal Office (Nepalgunj) Regional office Nepalgunj iDE Sanatinagar-12, Banke, Nepal Tel +977-81-527036 Email: [email protected] Binod Sharma Government Program IDE Nepal Office Development Specialist Bakhundole, Latipur IDE Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal Tel 977-1-5520943 Email: [email protected] Mukti Devkota IPM Program IDE Nepal Office Officer/CEAPRED, Surkhet Bakhundole, Latipur Kathmandu, Nepal Tel 977-1-5520943 Email:[email protected] Vijaya Poudel IPM Program Email:[email protected] Officer/CEAPRED, Banke Ram Bahadur Khadka Plant Pathologist, RARS-NARC, Regional Agriculture Research Khajura Station(RARS)-Nepal Agricultural Research Council(NARC) Regional Agricultural Research Station Khajura, Banke, Nepal Email: : [email protected]