Due to the impact of Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic that exists today, all countries, national and international organizations are in a continuous effort to find efficient and accurate statistical models for forecasting the future pattern of COVID infection. Accurate forecasting should help governments to take decisive decisions to master the pandemic spread.  In this article, we explored the COVID-19 database of India between 17th March to 1st July 2020, then we estimated two nonlinear time series models: Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Fuzzy Time Series (FTS) by comparing them with ARIMA model. In terms of model adequacy, the FTS model out performs the ANN for the new cases and new deaths time series in India. We observed a short-term virus spread trend according to three forecasting models.Such findings help in more efficient preparation for the Indian health system.

A field experiment on evaluation of biopesticides against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.) on pigeon pea was carried out during kharif season of 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Gram pod borer is a major pest of pigeon pea in India. For the management of this pest seven biopesticides were tested along with control. Among the biopesticides, Beauveria bassiana @ 1 liter / ha (1x10 12 spores/ml) was found to be most effective biopesticide as it recorded lowest larval population (6.68 larvae / 5plants). The highest larval population was recorded in control (12.61 larvae /5 plants). The least effective treatment was Paecilomyces fumosoreseus (9.31 larvae /5 plants). Similar trend was observed in the grain yield as 1667.55 kg/ha, 709.41kg/ha and 1025.21kg/ha , respectively.Key words: Biopesticides, Efficacy, Helicoverpa armigera.The recommended package of practices were followed except plant protection measures. The trial comprised eight treatments namely, Beauveria bassiana@1liter/ha (1x10 12 spores/ml), Metarrhizium anisopliae @1liter/ha (1x10 12 spores/ml), Paecilomyces fumosoreseus @1liter/ ha(1x10 12 spores/ml), Verticillium lecanii @1liter/ha(1x10 12 spores/ml), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (PDBC-BT-1) @1.5l/ha, neem soap@1kg/ha(10g/l), pongamia soap@ 1kg/ha (10g/l) and untreated control. Three sprays per treatment were given at pod formation stage. Observations on larval population of H. armigera were recorded on five plants per plot at 24 hours before spraying (pre treatment) and 3,7 and 10 days after each spray. At harvest, total number of healthy and borer damaged pods and grain were counted and expressed as percent damage. The data were then subjected to square root and arcsine transformation values before statistical analysis. The seed yield of net plot was recorded separately and converted into per hectare. The results thus obtained are summarized in Table 1.

Seven new molecule insecticides viz., Deltamethrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Emamectin benzoate, Indoxacarb, Bifenthrin, Rynaxypr and Flubendiamide were bio-assayed against okra shoot and fruit borer (Earias vittella) to study the residual toxicity on Okra at College of Agriculture, Raipur during the Rabi applied season(2014-15 and 2015-16).. On the basis of average LT50 values, the order of toxicity was Emamectin Benzoate > Indoxacarb > Lambda-Cyhalothrin > Rynaxypr > Flubendiamide > Deltamethrin > Bifenthrin against okra shoot and fruit borer.

Biological weed control agents are eco-friendly measures of controlling various weed species. They are the living organisms which kill or suppress the growth of another organism. This paper aims at organizing the scientific research finding and providing information about biological control of an invasive weed species, Swallowwort of Southern Ottawa region of Canada. Hypena opulenta, leaf feeding moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is an effective bio-agent for controlling invasive plant species, Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum). Vincetoxicum is native to Mediterranean regions of France, Italy, and Spain and typically grows in calcareous soils on forested slopes. It was introduced to North America (Ontario, Canada) in 19th century. It is found in wide range of habitat that is from agricultural field to the forests and plantations making several adverse impacts in the respective ecosystems of the region. Overwintering Pupa of Leaf feeding moth emerges as an adult and starts laying eggs after 2 days. Eggs are deposited on upper or under side of the main vein and petioles of leaves. Larvae of H. opulenta feed exclusively on newly expanded leaves of the plant for completion of its developmental cycle. Though the larvae show the minimal feeding on other plants but they necessarily require Vincetoxicum species as a host for completion of their life stages. Before releasing larvae of H. opulenta for control of Vincetoxicum in the field they were tested in the lab for host specificity and environmental safety. Larvae of H. opulenta can spread up to the distance of 100 m from release site and control the growth of swallow-wort by feeding on newly emerged leaves which results in reduced shoot biomass and seed multiplication of the plant.