Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management in Pigeonpea

Abstract

Insect pests are the major constraints for pigeonpea yield reduction. Large-scale integrated pest management (IPM) of pigeonpea was undertaken on 1000 ha in Parbhani in farmers’ participatory mode. The pest population was less in IPM fields than non-IPM fields. The population of pod borer larvae was 0.39/plant in IPM, and 0.64/plant in non-IPM. Plume moth larvae were 0.16 and 0.25/plant in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The webbings by spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata Gey.) were 0.08 and 0.19/plant in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The pod damage due to pod borer complex was less in IPM (7.71 %) than non-IPM (21.52 %) fields. The immature stages (maggot and pupa) of pod fly were 2.14 and 7.99/50 pods in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The population of natural enemies like coccinellids (0.21/plant in IPM and 0.09/plant in non-IPM), chrysopids (0.03/plant in IPM and 0.01/plant in non-IPM) and spider (0.36/plant in IPM and 0.24/plant in non-IPM) was more in IPM fields. The parasitisation of pod borer larvae was 3.63 % in IPM and 1.78 % in non-IPM. The impact of the IPM practices resulted in increased yield (10.18 q/ha in IPM and 8.41 q/ha in non-IPM) with a net profit of ₹ 7710/ha. IPM module insect pests effectively managed and conserved natural enemies.