Integrated Pest Management Field Research Articles

Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) management strategy, dissemination and impact assessment in India

The recent emergence of pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) has posed serious ecological and economic implications for cotton production in India since 2017. The project “Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM): Dissemination of pink bollworm management strategies in Bt-cotton” was implemented consecutively for four years from 2018 -19, 2019–20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 in 21 districts across three cotton growing zones of the country. In each year, field demonstrations were conducted on 1050 acres of cotton area and mass awareness was created through outreach activities. With concerted and focused efforts, the PBW infestations could be brought down by 42.75% in 2018–19, 43.49% in 2019–20, 35.55% in 2020-21 and 33.77% in 2021-22 in the demonstration plots over the farmer practices. An increased benefit: cost ratios of 2.16:1, 2:1, 1.89:1 and 2.24:1 were realized during 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020-21 and 2021–22, respectively. Similarly, the average number of sprays for the control of cotton pests during the season was reduced to 5.02, 4.94, 5.19 and 5.18 in integrated pest management (IPM) fields as compared to 6.98, 7.66, 8.07 and 8.20 in non-integrated pest management (NIPM) fields in the corresponding years. Reduction in pesticide usage in IPM vs NIPM fields was 46.39% in terms of cost, and 38.96% in terms of volume during 2019-20 while concurrent percent reduction in pesticide usage was 41.03 & 39.33 during 2020-21 and 40.70 & 39.38 in 2021–22. Comparatively more seed cotton was harvested from IPM than NIPM fields i.e. 2190 vs 1820 kg/ha in 2018–19, 2049 vs 1715 kg/ha in 2019–20, 1881 vs 1585 kg/ha in 2020-21 and 1901 vs 1607 kg/ha in 2021–22. Significant success in reducing PBW infestation, pesticide usage and corresponding improvement in yield, economic benefits and environmental quality in terms of reduced EIQFUR has been achieved through IPM demonstrations. This area-wide success was achieved through collective efforts and active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.

Evaluasi dan impact assessment pelatihan sekolah lapang pengendalian hama terpadu (SL-PHT) tanaman jagung melalui pengenalan dan aplikasi pestisida nabati di Kabupaten Purbalingga

The Sri Lestari farmer group in Karangbanjar Village, Bojongsari District, Purbalingga Regency works on the cultivation of food crops such as corn and rice, some of them working on horticultural crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides carried out from year to year is quite worrying with the increasing dose of use of Chemical Fertilizers as well as environmentally unfriendly chemicals that are concerned will damage the natural ecosystems. The implementation of integrated pest management field schools (SL-IPM) corn farm efforts are expected to be able to impact the level of application of integrated pesticide control through the identification and application of plant pesticides on the Sri Lestari farmer group. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the SL-IPM implementation on the level of application of integrated pest control and the socioeconomic impacts of members of the Sri Lestari group. This research was conducted in May 2023. The number of respondents was 35 people using the census technique. Data is analyzed quantitatively. The observed variables are characteristics, pre-test and post-test, and socio-economic impact assessment of members of the farm group. The results of that there was an improvement in understanding, changes in attitudes, skills, knowledge and behavior in the good category (when an increase in respondent understanding of the training material was more than 30% of all pre-test and post-test questions). The number of members of the peasant group who applied the FS-IPM principle of corn crops was 62.86% with an increase in corn productivity of 50.91%.

The Phenomenon of Farmer Behavior in Using Chemical Pesticides

Most farmers in Indonesia engage in agricultural activities that use pesticides to control Plant Pests and Diseases (PPD). The use of pesticides by farmers to combat PPDs often disregards the potential environmental impacts. Furthermore, farmers’ limited understanding of environmentally friendly pesticides weakens their awareness of utilizing plant-based pesticides to control PPDs. This phenomenon has resulted in environmental imbalances, which impact the PPD being controlled and the wider ecosystem due to the toxic or poisonous nature of chemical pesticides. Hence, this article aims to explore and comprehend the experiences of farmers who practice agriculture while utilizing chemical pesticides. This study employs a literature review approach by analyzing several articles published between 2008 and 2022 that discuss the topic of pesticide use by farmers in their agricultural activities, including food crops and horticultural plants. The study concludes that farmers' use of chemical pesticides is influenced by various internal and external factors. Encouraging changes in farmers’ behaviour towards the use of environmentally friendly pesticides requires continuous support from local extension agents who provide regular and consistent information to farmers, followed by Integrated Pest Management Field Schools (IPM-FS) activities.

Validation of IPM strategy in Bt cotton in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) hot spot of North-West India

Bt cotton has witnessed the increasing infestation of sucking pests especially whitefly during last one decade. During 2015, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Ishii) emerged as a serious pest in North India destroyed 2/3 of the cotton crop in Punjab. There was an urgent need to validate integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for management of whitefly in Bt cotton in hot spot area with farmer's participatory mode. To overcome the problem, ICAR-NCIPM initiated a trial on validation of IPM in cotton at Fazilka, Punjab in 2.5 ha during 2016, which was extended to 12 ha and 40 ha area in the year 2017 and 2018 respectively. The validated IPM strategy included timely sowing of recommended cotton hybrid, removal of weed as alternate host, proper plant nutrition along with foliar spray of 2% potassium nitrate, use of neem based pesticides, conservation of natural enemies by avoidance of insecticides which are harmful to natural enemies, and judicious use of safer pesticides. IPM implementation resulted in successful management of whitefly and other pests with significant increase in population of natural enemies predators along with significant reduction in the number of insecticides spray (>68%) and amount of active ingredients (>84%) in IPM fields as compared to FP (Farmer's practice) fields. IPM implementation also brought > 18% increase in yield, > 17% reduction in input cost and >90% increase in net profit compared to FP. The benefit-cost ratio in IPM was 2.55 against 1.88 in FP.

Mitigating N2O emission from chili plantation (Capsicum annuum) on the integrated pest management field school – case study in Rembang and Sukabumi Regencies, Indonesia

Agricultural activities such as an inorganic nitrogen fertilization and biomass burning contribute to increase the N2O emissions from the agricultural sector. Integrated Pest Management Field School (IPM) in chili plantations using organic based fertiliser and the application of silver-black plastic mulch promote to reduce the N2O emissions from agricultural sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reduction of N2O emissions using organic based fertilizer and silver-black plastic mulch treatment on IPM school plots in Rembang and Sukabumi Regencies. The results showed that there was no significant different on N2O emission from the organic based fertilizer and plastic mulch application to the control. However, treatment of organic based fertiliser and silver-black plastic mulch in IPM plots contribute to reduce the N2O emissions of 14% in Sukabumi and 27% in Rembang compared to conventional farmers’ technology without organic based fertiliser and plastic mulch treatments. Thus, the IPM on the chilli plantation contribute to N2O mitigation.

Impact of integrated pest management (IPM) module on major insect-pests of wheat and their natural enemies in North-western plains of India

In order to sustain the wheat production in North-western plains of India, a study was conducted to test the integrated pest management (IPM) module with commonly used farmer’s practices for the management of insect pests during 2017-18 and 2018-19. It was observed that aphid population was significantly lower in IPM plot (2.48-2.60 aphids/tiller) as compared to farmer’s practices (13.93-16.46 aphids/tiller) at peak period of their activity. At the same time, the population of coccinellids predators was significantly higher in IPM plots (6.80 beetle/m2) as compared to non-IPM plots (1.26 beetles/m2) during 2017-18. The termite damage ranged from 2.48-2.96 per cent in farmer's practices while it was only 0.20-0.80 per cent in IPM fields. Similarly, greater pink stem borer (PSB) damage was recorded in farmer's practices (0.96-2.48 per cent) as compared to IPM fields (0.46-0.68 per cent). The incidence of brown wheat mite (BWM) was recorded on maturing wheat and it was 2-5 fold higher in farmer's practice (11.73-31.53 mites/10 cm2) as compared to IPM plots (4.20- 5.00 mites/10 cm2). Approximately 9 per cent increase in grain yield resulted in additional income of Rs. 9291/ha in IPM plot. Seed treatment, yellow sticky trap based monitoring of aphids and need based application of insecticide resulted in better control of insect. Doi.org/10.25174/2582-2675/2020/100185

Biocontrol-based management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Indian Maize

Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (fall armyworm) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of maize that has recently entered in India causing damage and yield loss. A biocontrol-based integrated pest management (IPM) strategy was designed and evaluated in farmer’s field during rabi and kharif season (2018–2019). IPM strategy comprising installation of controlled release FAW pheromone traps, four releases of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, two sprays of neem oil, one spray of each Bacillus thuringiensis (NBAIR-BT25) and Metarizium anisopliae (NBAIR Ma-35) resulted in 76 and 71.64% egg mass; 80 and 74.44% larval population reduction at 60 days after treatment during rabi and kharif season, respectively. Cob yield per acre in biocontrol-based IPM field was higher than the farmer’s practice (6–7 sprays of emamectin benzoate 5% SG) during both the seasons, and it resulted in 38.3 and 42.29% gain in yield per acre during rabi and kharif, respectively. Therefore, this module forms a base to manage the fall armyworm in an eco-friendly and farmer friendly manner. Future research with other alternatives has also been discussed.

Validation of integrated pest management module against major insect pests of pigeonpea, (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module was validated against major insect pests of pigeonpea in farmers’ fields during Kharif, 2011 in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India. IPM module included installation of pheromone traps @ 10/ha, erection of bird perches @ 50/ha, spraying of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrosis virus (Ha NPV) @ 500 LE/ha, need based spraying of insecticides like acephate (@ 500 g/ha) + DDVP (@ 500 ml/ha); indoxacarb (@ 500 ml/ha), spinosad (@ 200 ml/ha). Farmers’ practice included only 2 sprays of quinalphos @ 1 lt/ha at flowering and at 20-25 days after 1st spraying. Per cent pod damage by different insect pests viz., gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa), spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata) decreased by 61.08, 37.65 and 48.66 per cent, respectively, in IPM over farmers’ practice fields. IPM fields recorded 61 per cent yield increase over farmers’ practice with mean Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.73.

Pesticide residues in Nepalese vegetables and potential health risks

We conducted this study in order to assess the pesticide residues in vegetables and examine the related human health risk. Therefore, residues of 23 pesticides (organophosphates, organochlorines, acaricides, fungicides, and insecticides of biological origin) were analysed in the three main vegetable crops grown in Southern Nepal: 27 eggplant, 27 chilli and 32 tomato samples representing (i) conventional (N = 67) and ii) integrated pest management (IPM) fields (N = 19). Pesticide residues were found in 93% of the eggplant samples and in all of the chilli and tomato samples. Multiple residues were observed in 56% of the eggplant samples, 96% of chilli samples and all of the tomato samples. The range (µg/kg) of total detected pesticide residues in eggplants, chillies and tomatoes was 1.71–231, 4.97–507, 13.1–3465, respectively. The most frequently detected pesticides in these vegetables were carbendazim and chloropyrifos. Pesticide residues in 4% of the eggplant, 44% of the tomato and 19% of the chilli samples exceeded the EU maximum residue limits (MRLs). The residues of triazophos, omethoate, chloropyrifos and carbendazim exceeded the EU MRLs. Compared to chilli and eggplant crops, more carbendazim was sprayed onto tomato crops (p < 0.05). We assessed adolescent and adult dietary exposure using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) equations for the identified pesticides. HQ> 1 was observed for chloropyrifos, triazophos and carbendazim in eggplants; profenofos, triazophos, dimethoate, omethoate, chloropyrifos and carbendazim in tomatoes; and dichlorvos and chloropyrifos in chillies. Of all of the HQs, the highest acute HQ (aHQ) was for triazophos (tomato) in adolescents (aHQ=657) and adults (aHQ=677), showing the highest risks of dietary exposure. The cumulative dietary exposure showed a higher HI for organophosphates (HI>83) and a lower HI for organochlorines, acaricides and biological insecticides (HI<1). The concentration of pesticide residues in the vegetable crops from the IPM field was considerably lower, suggesting a greater ability of IPM systems to reduce the dietary risks from exposure to pesticides.

PENGARUH PENERAPAN METODE ANDRAGOGI TERHADAP TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN, KEAKTIFAN KERJA DAN HASIL PANEN PADI PADA SEKOLAH LAPANG PENGENDALIAN HAMA TERPADU (SLPHT) DI DISTRIK AIMAS KABUPATEN SORONG

This study examines the effect of the application of the method to focus Andragogy the level of education, active labor and the harvest on Integrated Pest Management Field School (FFS) in District Aimas Sorong Regency. Implementation of this research was conducted in three groups of farmers in the district forward Aimas ie farmer groups of 25 people, farmer groups and the border of the farmer 25 farmer groups Rukun Wargi 25 people that totaled 75 people. This research is experimental real. For the regression test results of this study indicate that there is a significant contribution between andragogy methods the education level of 0.4%, a simple regression test results showed that, Andragogy method to work activeness of 1.2%, while for methods of andragogy against varabel harvest rice result of 45.7%. Based on the results of this study concluded that there is the influence of the simultaneous application of the method Andragogy the level of education, active labor and the harvest on Integrated Pest Management Field School (FFS) in District Aimas Sorong Regency.

Management Control Strategy of Devastated Tomato Borer, Tuta absoluta on Tomato Crop at El-Behira Governorate, Egypt.

Field experiments were conducted during two successive summer seasons, 2016 and 2017 to compare some methods of integrated pest management (IPM) program against T. absoluta with a control field (untreated field) from 3rd May to 3rd July at El- Berka village, Abu-Hommus district, El-Behira Governorate. Results showed that larval activity of T. absoluta during both two seasons, 2016 and 2017 was higher in control field (23.11±1.82 mean no. of larvae/leaf) than in IPM field program (2.71±0.40 mean no. of larvae/leaf). The numbers of male captures per trap per 3 days were increased during the experiment in an IPM field with overall mean no. of 201.29±4.81 males per trap per 3 days. However, the mean no. of male catches was 186.9±7.23 males/trap/3 days in control field with significant difference between them during two successive seasons. A thorough research program towards developing some sequence tactics in IPM program for T. absoluta including a foliar spray of Thiamethoxam 20%WG + Chlorantraniliprole 20%WG mixture, Flubendiamid 20%WG, Abamectin 8.4%SC, Spinetoram 12%SC and water mass trapping male moths using red plastic basin water trap (about 10 lure traps/ feddan) on tomato variety, K186. Such an approach would not only allow for reducing the pest, but also result in a better understanding management strategy of devastated tomato borer, T. absoluta in a given region.

Integrated Pest Management Practices Reduce Insecticide Applications, Preserve Beneficial Insects, and Decrease Pesticide Residues in Flue-Cured Tobacco Production.

Integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations, including scouting and economic thresholds (ETs), are available for North Carolina flue-cured tobacco growers, although ETs for key pests have not been updated in several decades. Moreover, reported IPM adoption rates by flue-cured tobacco growers remain low, at < 40%, according to NC cooperative extension surveys conducted during the last four years. Previous research has suggested that timing insecticide treatments using currently available ETs can reduce the average number of applications to two or fewer per season. We conducted field-scale trials at nine commercial tobacco farms, three in 2104 and six in 2015, to quantify inputs associated with current scouting recommendations, to determine if current ETs were able to reduce insecticide applications as compared to grower standard practices, and to assess the impacts of reduced insecticide applications on end of season yield and pesticide residues. Two fields were identified at each farm and were scouted weekly for insects. One field was only treated with insecticides if pests reached ET (IPM), while the other field was managed per grower discretion (Grower Standard). IPM fields received an average of two fewer insecticide applications without compromising yield. More insecticide applications resulted in higher pesticide residues in cured leaf samples from Grower Standard fields than those from IPM fields. Reductions in insecticides and management intensity also resulted in larger beneficial insect populations in IPM fields.

Large-scale IPM validation in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa) in Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Pusa Basmati 1121, a high-yielding aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety released by ICAR-IARI in 2005, became widely popular among farmers of Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in India due to higher yield and good price in the market. But, soon after its release, the variety was severely affected by bakanae foot rot disease (Fusarium fujikuroi). The ICAR-National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management (NCIPM) synthesized an integrated pest management (IPM) module and validated it in large-scale at Bambawad village (District Gautam Budh Nagar, UP) in farmers’ participatory mode during 2010-14. The trial was initiated on 40 ha in 2010, which was gradually increased to 80, 120, 200 and 286 ha during 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The IPM module involved green manuring, seed treatment with carbendazim, seedling root dipping in Pseudomonas fluorescens, pest monitoring and need-based application of bioagents/ pesticides. Implementation of the module resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of bakanae ranging from 0.05±0.01 to 10.18±4.05% in IPM fields against 1.22±0.27 to 46.5±6.30% in Farmers’ practices (FP). Brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) population (average of the season) remained 7.74, 9.55, 1.22, 4.32 and 0.49 nymphs and adults/hill in IPM against 31.13, 14.16, 1.36, 7.24 and 0.82 in FP fields during 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Regular pest monitoring and ETL-based application of pesticides in IPM helped in conservation of spider population in IPM as compared to FP with very low application of chemical pesticides, i.e. 103.2 g a.i./ha in IPM against 1214.4 g a.i./ha in FP. Analysis of rice grain samples for pesticide residue indicated carbendazim below detectable level. IPM trial also resulted in higher yield (36.01 q/ha in IPM against 26.24 q/ha in FP) and benefit- cost ratio (3.80 in IPM and 2.56 in FP) as compared to FP (Average of five years).

Integration of Weed Management and Tillage Practices in Spring Barley Production

Spring barley can be used to diversify and intensify winter wheat-based production systems in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of tillage system and weed management level (WML) on weed control and spring barley grain yield when grown in a winter wheat-spring barley-spring dry pea rotation. A long-term integrated pest management field study examined the effects of three WMLs (minimum, moderate, and maximum) and two tillage systems (conservation and conventional) on weed control and barley grain yield. Total weed biomass at harvest was 8.0 and 59.7 g m−2for the maximum and minimum WMLs, respectively, in the conservation tillage system, but was similar and averaged 12.2 g m−2for all three WMLs in the conventional tillage system. Despite greater weed biomass with minimum weed management in the conservation tillage system, barley grain yields averaged 5,060 and 4,780 kg ha−1for the conservation tillage and conventional tillage systems, respectively. The benefits of conservation tillage require adequate herbicide inputs.

Impact of areawide integrated pest management strategies on pests of pigeonpea and yield in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important legume crop of southern Maharashtra, providing high quality protein and animal feed. Insect pests feeding on flowers and pods of this crop are the most important biotic constraint affecting yield to the tune of 60 per cent. Hitherto, focus of pest management research has been on podborer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). With large scale cultivation of transgenic cotton in Maharashtra and climatic changes, pest scenario has changed requiring more attention on leaf webber, Maruca and pod fly. Hence, area wide implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in pigeopea was implemented during 2010-11 and 2011-12 covering 5 taluks benefitting 2449 farmers of 8 villages. It was observed that use of pesticides based on the “e-Pest monitoring and its subsequent decision support tools” enabled to manage pests with judicious use of pesticides. The pest infestation (pod borer, pod fly, plume moth, flower webber, etc.,) were significantly low as compared to non-IPM with appreciable high population of natural enemies (coccinellids, chrysopa and spiders) were also observed under IPM fields. Timely dissemination of advisories and action has resulted in higher grain yield of 9.89 q/ha and lower grain damage 5.69 per cent as compared to non-IPM (13.79 per cent).

Pesticide residue analysis of soil, water, and grain of IPM basmati rice.

The main aim of the present investigations was to compare the pesticide load in integrated pest management (IPM) with non-IPM crops of rice fields. The harvest samples of Basmati rice grain, soil, and irrigation water, from IPM and non-IPM field trials, at villages in northern India, were analyzed using multi-pesticide residue method. The field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2008-2011) for the successful validation of the modules, synthesized for Basmati rice, at these locations. Residues of tricyclazole, propiconazole, hexconazole, lambda cyhalothrin, pretilachlorchlorpyrifos, DDVP, carbendazim, and imidacloprid were analyzed from two locations, Dudhli village of Dehradun, Uttrakhand and Saboli and Aterna village of Sonepat, Haryana. The pesticide residues were observed below detectable limit (BDL) (<0.001-0.05μg/g) in all 24 samples of rice grains and soil under IPM and non-IPM trials. Residues were below detection level (<0.001-0.05μg/L) in irrigation water samples (2008-09). Residues of tricyclazole and carbendazim, analyzed from same locations, revealed pesticide residues as BDL (<0.001-0.05μg/g) in all 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil. It was also observed as BDL (<0.001-0.05μg/L) for 12 water samples (2009-2010). The residues of tricyclazole, propioconazole, chlorpyrifos, hexaconazole, pretilachlor, and λ-cyhalothrin were also found as BDL (<0.001-0.05μg/g) in 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil and 12 water samples (<0.001-0.05μg/L) (2010-2011).

Farmer Field Schools for Improving Farming Practices and Farmer Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Farmer Field Schools for Improving Farming Practices and Farmer Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Comparative assessment of pesticide residues in grain, soil, and water from IPM and non-IPM trials of basmati rice

The integrated pest management (IPM) modules of pesticide schedule on Basmati rice were validated at field experiments conducted in Northern India for consecutive 3years (2005-2008). The pesticide residues were found below the detectable limit (<0.01-0.001mg/kg) in soil and irrigation water samples of Kaithal region. In Dehra Dun region of Uttrakhand, the residues of carbendazim in rice grains and soil were detected below <0.01mg/kg level. In second year experiments (2006-2007), only four non-IPM soil samples indicated the presence of chlorpyrifos and endosulfan in the range of ND <0.001 to 0.07mg/kg, out of 45 samples analyzed. Carbendazim applied as seed treatment at Dehradun and Kaithal field trials was found below detectable limit in both IPM and non-IPM rice grains (<0.01mg/kg) and irrigation water (0.01μl/ml). Chlorpyrifos was detected in five water samples from Kaithal and one from Pant Nagar in the range of 0.003-0.006μl/L, α- and β-isomer of endosulfan in the range of 0.005-0.03, and 0.005-0.02μl/ml, respectively, in one sample from Pant Nagar and two from Kaithal, out of a total of 22 samples. In the region of Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh during 2007-2008, four non-IPM samples of soil indicated trace levels of endosulfan, out of 16 samples analyzed. The residues were detected below detection limit for carbendazim (<0.01mg/kg) in soil samples of Dehradun IPM fields and for endosulfan and carbendazim (0.001-0.01μl/L) in water samples each from IPM and non-IPM fields of Uttar Pradesh. The results of 3-year trials of IPM module indicated basmati rice as safe and economical with pesticide residue-free rice grains.

Conservation biological control and IPM practices in Brassica vegetable crops in China

Brassicas are major vegetable crops in China but the systems for growing the crops are complex. During the last 30years, the area of vegetable crops has increased steadily, however, the control of insect pests on brassica vegetables has largely relied on the heavy use of chemical insecticides, resulting in high levels of resistance, insecticide residues hazardous to human health and other serious consequences. Nevertheless, efforts to develop practical and sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for brassica vegetables have been implemented. Here we first review the work on surveys of natural enemies of insect pests in brassicas and describe the biology and ecology of a few important parasitoids. We then introduce the progress of conservation biological control by reviewing studies on evaluation of natural enemies and selective insecticides, the work on the development of action thresholds and some successful examples of IPM field trials at the cropping system level. The successful examples of IPM practices in brassicas show the great potential of conservation biological control to reduce chemical pesticide input and improve vegetable production in the future.

Evaluation of Integrated Pest and Disease Management Module for Shallots in Tamil Nadu, India: a Farmer's Participatory Approach

Efforts made to evaluate the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module for shallots through Farmer's Participatory Approach in Tamil Nadu, India, are discussed. The shallot IPM module with special emphasis on nonchemical management components viz., healthy seed bulb selection, seed treatment with bio-pesticides, soil application of bio-pesticides and bio-inputs, growing of barrier crops, installation of sticky traps and pheromone traps, spray application of bio-pesticides, and need-based application of synthetic pesticides were evaluated in large fields in farmers' holdings in six locations during 2009-2012. In all the locations, the IPM fields registered reduced incidence of the major insect pests and diseases viz. onion thrips ( Thrips tabaci L.) (5.99 thrips/plant), leafminer ( Liriomyza sp.) (12.59% damage), tobacco cutworm ( Spodoptera litura F.) (3.51% damage), basal rot ( Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae W. C. Snyder and H. N. Hansen) (3.50% incidence) and purple blotch ( Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cif.) (24.50 Percent Disease Index) compared with farmer's approach registering higher incidence of onion thrips (11.58 thrips/plant), leafminer (19.65% damage), tobacco cutworm (6.22% damage), basal rot (8.14% incidence), and purple blotch (51.6 Percent Disease Index). The IPM fields registered a higher mean bulb yield of 13.81 t/ha with a cost:benefit ratio of 1:3.05 compared with 10.69 t/ha with a cost:benefit ratio of 1:2.47 in farmer's approach. Field days, exhibitions, and demonstrations were organized in all the locations to popularize the shallot IPM module among the growers.