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Biotechnology: A Tool in Termite Management

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Termites and Sustainable Management

Part of the book series: Sustainability in Plant and Crop Protection ((SUPP))

Abstract

Termites are the silent invaders, which affect life and property. Being regarded as one of the important agricultural and urban pests, they are of national and international concern to scientists and farmers in particular and to masses in general. It is being estimated that the annual cost of termite damage to the buildings in USA is greater than that of combined cost of fires, storms, and floods, as such hinting an urgent need for termite management. Control strategies have shifted focus on biotechnological approaches for all-inclusive termite management. Biotechnology, globally recognized as a rapidly emerging and far-reaching field, is the “technology of hope” for its promising role in food, health, and environmental sustainability. Latest and enduring advances in life sciences offer a promising scenario, with a large number of agri- and industrial biotech products that have enormously helped mankind. Biotechnology is necessary to sustain an agriculture competitive and remunerative and to achieve nutrition security in the face of major present challenges. Investment in agricultural-related biotechnology has resulted in significantly enhanced research and development capability and institutional building over the years. However, progress has been rather slow in converting the research leads into usable product. In this chapter, therefore, we examine the potential of biotechnology as a tool in termite management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Entomology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, 190006, India

    Tariq Ahmad

  2. J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India

    Shabnum Nabi

  3. Department of Commerce & Management, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, 190006, India

    Qazi Humera

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    Md. Aslam Khan

  2. Department of Zoology, Section of Nematology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Wasim Ahmad

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Ahmad, T., Nabi, S., Humera, Q. (2018). Biotechnology: A Tool in Termite Management. In: Khan, M., Ahmad, W. (eds) Termites and Sustainable Management. Sustainability in Plant and Crop Protection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68726-1_13

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