• The Institute has been designated as National Lac Insect Germplasm Center (NATLIGEC). Descriptors of lac insect have been developed and published. 65 lines of lac insects are being conserved live under potted conditions.

• Ten lac insect lines germplasm have been characterized for their biological and economic attributes. Seven lac insect collections have been added to the Lac Insect Field Gene Bank of NATLIGEC.

• Five kusmi productive breeds of lac insects were multiplied and are being conserved under RFS.

• Production of kusmi lac insect breeds identified for ber and semialata

• Molecular characterization of 35 ber collections were carried out using RAPD and ISSR markers

• Soil fertility management for winter kusmi production on ber has been standardized.

Albizia procera (Siris) a promising host plant

• Mulching was found most effective in early establishment of ber and enhanced winter lac production under rainfed condition. It resulted in enhanced retention of soil moisture level (26% higher over control), during the post-monsoon period.

• Economically important diseases of commercial lac host palas, ber & kusum and one potential bushy host Flemingia semialata were identified.

• Among seven fungicides tested Hexaconazole, chlorothalonil and metalaxyl were most effective fungicides in reducing sooty mould and increasing lac yield.

• Six IPM recommended newer chemical insecticides viz., lambdacyhalothrin, alphamethrin, indoxacarb, carbosulfan spinosad and fipronil and two Bt formulations (Halt & Knock) have been found promising for management of lac insect predators.

• Glyphosate has been identified to be potential herbicide for management of weeds in lac plantations.

• Albizia procera (Siris) has been identified as a promising host plant for raising kusmi lac crop during winter season.

• Survey of lac traders and processors for data collection has been carried out in lac growing states and database has been prepared for production, processing, export and import of lac.