Keerthi MC
Scientist
Division of Crop Protection
(During the Period of 2019-2023)
Dr. Keerthi MC worked on the biological management of a new invasive pest, Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. I have reported fifteen native bioagents associated with the FAW and is standardized the mass production of efficient parasitoids under laboratory conditions. I have documented the migration of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria in central India for the first time and reported its damage to different fodder crops. I have documented the pollinator diversity associated with berseem. Further documented the efficient pollinators of berseem in central India, their temporal and diurnal abundance, and the impact of bee visitation on yield. I have assessed the effect of indigenous bee attractants on increasing berseem seed yield, which can be used for commercial purposes.
- Keerthi MC*, Mahesha HS, Manjunatha, N, Ankita Gupta, Ravi Prakash Saini, Shivakumara KT, Bhargavi, HA, Gaurendra Gupta and Narendra Kulakarmi. (2021) Biology and oviposition preference of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on fodder crops and its natural enemies from central India. International Journal of Pest Management. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2020.1871530 (NAAS 7.91).
- Kumar, S*., MC, Keerthi., Kumar, V., Singh, T., Maity, A. and Yadav, V.K., 2021. Diurnal and temporal activity of pronubial insects on berseem flowers in a subtropical environment. Journal of Apicultural Research, pp.1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2021.1963123 (NAAS 8.58).
- Keerthi MC, Manjunatha L, Bhargavi HA, Mahesha HS, Puyam A, Dasgupta D. Development of Biotic-Stress Resistant Pigeonpea. InGenomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Pulse Crops. 2022 Springer, Cham. pp. 309-351.
- Mahesha HS, Keerthi MC, Shivakumar KV, Bhargavi HA, Saini RP, Manjunatha L, Hickok D, Blair MW. Development of Biotic Stress Resistant Cowpea. Genomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Pulse Crops. 2022:213-251.
- Manjunatha L, Puyam A, Prema GU, Sanjay Bandi M, Kumar R, Keerthi MC, Dixit GP, Kavitha TR. Chickpea Biotic Stresses. InGenomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Pulse Crops 2022. Springer, Cham. (pp. 117-159.
- University gold Medal for Merit for B. Sc (Agriculture) from UAS, Bengaluru, Karnataka during 40th convocation during 2015.
- University gold Medal for Merit for M. Sc (Agri. Entomology) from UAS, Raichur, Karnataka during 2017
- ICAR-Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing MSc (Agriculture)
- INSPIRE Fellowship award for pursuing PhD by Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi-110016.
- Young Agricultural Scientist Award- 2022 by Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Foundation, Chennai
