Mr. Muhammad Hamza Tariq Bhatti has accumulated significant practical experience through various internships and research roles. As an intern at the Rice Research Institute in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore, Pakistan, he focused on controlling rice pests, particularly Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum, using various essential oils. At the Integrated Pest Management Lab, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, where he has been working since February 7, 2023, he contributed to research on the deterrence effect of colored diversion sheets on Bactrocera cucurbitae and the yield parameters of bitter gourd. He also evaluated different strains of entomopathogenic fungi for managing Tribolium castaneum and gained experience in rearing insects such as ladybird beetles, fruit flies, and praying mantises.
Previously, from September 13, 2021, to December 28, 2021, Mr. Bhatti worked at the Insecticides and Weedicides Resistance Lab, also at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore. There, he conducted research resulting in a publication on the effect of substrate, growth conditions, and nutrient application methods on the morphological and commercial attributes of hybrid rose (Rosa indica L.) cv. Kardinal. His internship at Nayab Pest Control Services Official in Lahore, from June 3, 2023, to August 3, 2023, further enhanced his practical experience in pest control services.
In addition, Mr. Bhatti’s work at the Plant Biotechnology Lab at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, from February 4, 2022, to October 12, 2022, involved research on the interaction between bacterial endophytes and host plants, a case study on sale price comparison at Saggian Flower Market, and a study on the role of horticulture in disaster risk management. These diverse experiences have equipped Mr. Bhatti with a comprehensive skill set in pest management, plant biotechnology, and integrated agricultural practices.