Evaluation of different IPM modules against sucking insects in Bt cotton under South-Western Punjab conditions

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the IPM modules in Bt cotton against the whitefly Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius), jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida and thrips Thrips tabaci Lindeman during the summers of 2019 and 2020. The modules included homemade neem extract, neem oil, sesame oil, microbials and insecticides. The data from the experiment revealed a significant maximum reduction in whitefly (60.44%), jassid (64.18%) and thrips (60.15%) population in the plots treated with module M6 and was followed by module M5 which resulted in 46.64, 52.74 and 41.46 per cent reduction in whitefly, jassid and thrips population, respectively, when compared to untreated control. Seed cotton yield was significantly higher in treated plots than untreated check, however it was found to be maximum in module M6 (22.54 q/ha) but was statistically at par with modules M4 (19.61 q/ha), M5 (18.96 q/ha) and M3 (18.79 q/ha). Moreover, the highest (ICBR) incremental cost benefit ratio was obtained from the application of module M6 (1:3.55) and M5 (1:3.28). It can be concluded that application of initial homemade neem extract and need based use of new chemistry insecticides and microbials will play an important role to curtail sucking pests incidence in Bt cotton.