Ph.D. student harnesses the power of mustard for sustainable pest management
Usha Panta investigates the impact of soil biofumigation using mustard products with the aim of developing sustainable pest management practices.
Sustainable agricultural production relies on methods that minimize the frequent use of pesticides and encourage ecological and cultural practices for pest management. While integrated pest management (IPM) methods have been developed as environmentally friendly alternatives by reducing synthetic pesticide use, these techniques may negatively impact some beneficial organisms that play a vital role in the functioning of agroecosystems.
Virginia Tech is developing more targeted and sustainable IPM protocols that are beneficial to soils and the helpful organisms that inhabit them.
Usha Panta is a graduate student working alongside Professor Arash Rashed in the Entomology Lab at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research & Extension Center. Her work focuses on developing methods to effectively control soil-borne pests while safeguarding soil health and preserving ecosystem functionality.
After completing her undergraduate research at Gokuleshwor Agriculture and Animal Science College in Nepal, her passion for entomology inspired her to pursue a master's degree at Eastern New Mexico University. This eventually brought her to Virginia Tech, where she is working toward a Ph.D. in entomology with a focus on sustainable pest management strategies.
In the summer of 2023, Panta began investigating how mustard and its byproducts influence beneficial organisms and soil microbial communities, both essential for maintaining healthy soil.
“Usha’s research questions bring new perspectives by shedding light on the impact of soil biofumigation with mustard products,” said Rashed. “Her research findings will be essential in developing the most effective integrated pest management protocols that maximize production efficiency and support production sustainability.”
Biofumigation is a method of using plants to control soil-borne pests and diseases. Cover crops like mustard from the Brassicaceae family, or its by-products such as seed meal amendments, are commonly used in organic and conventional farming systems to manage soil pests including pathogens, insects, and weeds.
Panta’s research, using springtails and earthworms as biological model organisms, delves into the impact of various mustard species on soil-dwelling pests and beneficial organisms, as well as the recovery process of soil microbial and arthropod communities following biofumigation.
“I hope the findings from this study will help inform the development of management practices that can simultaneously control soil-borne pests and minimize harmful impacts on soil health and ecosystem functioning,” says Panta. “After I finish my studies, I would like to continue my work in academic research for the development of sustainable pest management practices.”
