Validation of IPM module for pigeon pea pod borer

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. (Millsp.)) is attacked by more than 300 species of insects of which gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, spotted pod borer. Maruca vitrata and pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa are the most important. The misuse of pesticides has resulted in hazards like pesticide residues, resistance and pest resurgence. Integrated pest management (IPM), an ecological approach of which a module was evaluated for its adoption in pigeonpea over two years. The results revealed that IPM module can reduce number of sprays with high economic returns as against farmer's practice. IPM package consisting of seed treatment with Trichoderma viride and vitavax @ 10 g and 2 g/kg seed, respectively, intercropping with green gram (1: 7 row ratio), monitoring through pheromone traps @ 10/ha, erecting bird perches @ 50/ha and spraying of NSKE (neem seed kernel extract) 5% or neem formulation (1500 ppm) @ 5ml/l at flower bud initiation stage, followed by need based spraying of chlorantraniliprole @ 0.3 ml/1 (at 50% flowering), indoxacarb @ 0.75 ml/1 or flubendiamide @ 0.2 ml/1 or emamectin benzoate @ 0.4 g/1 and dimethoate @ 2 ml/1 at 10 days interval was the most effective with higher cost benefit ratio i.e., 1: 3.23 in IPM module compared to farmer's practice (1: 2.12).