MGU secures patent for eco-friendly biopesticide

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam has been granted a patent for developing a biological pesticide to combat the destructive banana pest known as the pseudostem weevil.

An official statement said the innovation was developed by a team of three researchers at the National Institute of Plant Science Technology under the university, identified as M S Jisha, Helsena E H, and Aju K Ashok. Their work addresses a major challenge in banana cultivation, as the pseudostem weevil bores into the plant stem, creating holes that weaken the plant and often lead to its collapse, resulting in severe crop loss.