Farmers’ centred approach for area wide implementation of sustainable IPM technology and economic analysis for onion (Allium cepa) during rabi season

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in onion (Allium cepa L.) during 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 at Singoha-Singohi-Rambha, Karnal, Haryana with a view to study the validation, economic viability and feasibility of adaptableand rational IPM technology in a farmers’ driven approach. The IPM technology for onion crop comprised mainlythe raising healthy nursery using raised nursery beds, mixing Trichoderma viride (c.f.u. 2 × 109) fortified in FYM (@50 g/3 sq m), need based spray of urea @ 0.2% or micronutrient mixture to manage yellowing; in main crop -givingadequate irrigation during crop season, and irrigating fields through sprinkler to wash off thrips, spray of spinosadagainst thrips in March ,i.e. bulb initiation stage at 50 DAT, need based spray of fipronil /profenophos, prophylacticspray with mancozeb and need based spray of mancozeb + carbendazim or propiconazole against Stemphylium blight and need based application of sulphur for tip burning due to sulphur deficiency was very effective in reducing the incidence of pests and minimizing the yield losses. The adoption of IPM technology, resulted in reducing the number of chemical sprays to 4-5 from 8-9 in non-IPM fields in a season with higher onion yields of 18.13, 28.62 and 16.0 tonnes/ha in IPM and 16.58, 27.50 and 14.86 tonnes/ha in non-IPM fields and with marginally higher CBR of 1:2.24, 1:4.15 and 1:1.73 in IPM than 1:2.04, 1:3.90 and 1:1.58, respectively in non-IPM. There was a net income increase of ₹5434, 12650 and 11 343 /ha in IPM fields over non-IPM.