Development and validation of pest management strategy against mirid bug, Creontiades biseratense in Bt cotton

Abstract

Mirid bug [Creontiades biseratense (Distant)] (Miridae: Hemiptera) is a newly emerged key sucking pest of cotton in southern part of India. Present study was conducted at District Perambalur (Tamil Nadu) in farmer-participatory mode during kharif season of 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 with MRC 7918 BG II Bt cotton to develop a suitable IPM strategy for this emerging insect-pest. The results of the experiment showed that the population of mirid bugs were significantly lower in all treatments over farmer's practice. In respect to management studies, T6 (lucerne as atrap crop, alternate foliar spraying of acephate 75 WP and azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 2 ml/l alternatively between 15 days interval for 4 sprays) recorded lowest population of mirid bugs (av. 0.34 bugs/plant) as compared farmer's practice (av. 1.58 bugs/ plant). The results of the experiment revealed that the population of sucking pests was significantly lower and population of beneficials was significantly higher in treatment over farmer's practice. There was significant increase of 63.43% seed cotton yield due to protection of crop as compared to farmer's practice. Large scale validation in farmer-participatory mode results also indicated low incidence of sucking pests in IPM as well as farmers' practices (FP) during the entire crop season. Population of three beneficial insects, ladybird beetle (Coccinella spp.) and green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) and spiders was recorded significantly higher in IPM as compared to farmer's practice.