Pest Management Modules Research Articles

Evaluation of TNAU Integrated pest management (IPM) module and farmers practices against maize fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) at Madurai in Tamil Nadu

Evaluation of TNAU Integrated pest management (IPM) module and farmers practices against maize fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) at Madurai in Tamil Nadu

Enhancing yield and economic benefits through sustainable pest management in Okra cultivation.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a prominent vegetable crop in Asia, confronting persistent threats from pests such as leafhoppers, whiteflies, and shoot and fruit borers. Conventional chemical control methods, despite their adverse ecological effects, remain the primary approach for pest management. Indiscriminate chemical use has led to reduced biodiversity among natural predators and the disruption of food webs in ecosystems. To address these challenges, this study assessed the efficacy of integrated (IM) and biointensive (BM) pest management modules in comparison to conventional chemical methods (CM) for mitigating insect damage to okra leaves and fruits, and subsequently, their impact on okra yield. Our result revealed that the BM exhibited the least effectiveness but outperformed untreated control plots significantly. In contrast, both IM and CM significantly reduced damage from sap-sucking insects and borer pests. Notably, plots treated with the chemical module found decreased populations of natural enemies. The IM demonstrated the lowest fruit infestation rate (5.06%), yielding the highest crop production (8.97 t ha-1), along with the maximum net return (Indian Rupees: 44,245) and incremental cost-benefit ratio (3.31). Thus, the study suggested that the implementation of integrated pest management practices can result in higher okra yields and greater economic benefits. These findings shed light on the potential of sustainable agricultural practices as a safer and more economically viable alternative to chemical-intensive pest control in okra cultivation.

Dissipation kinetics and decontamination of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam residues in curry leaves

ABSTRACT Herein, using liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry, we validated a modified QuEChERS method to analyse thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole residues in curry leaves. These insecticides are part of a pest management module against the major curry leaf insect pests, psyllid and leaf roller. Based on the SANTE guideline, the method exhibited satisfactory recovery and precision. For both insecticides, the R2 value was 0.99. Furthermore, the determined limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.008 and 0.025 mg/kg, respectively. The field persistence of both insecticides was longer, and below quantification limit was achieved within 30 and 40 days for chlorantraniliprole and 35 and 40 days for thiamethoxam. Residue degradation followed first-order kinetics, with longer half-lives of 5.08 and 5.28 days for chlorantraniliprole and 3.50 and 3.96 days for thiamethoxam at single (x) and double (2×) doses, respectively. For both insecticides, the hazard index (HI), calculated based on the highest residue on the day of insecticide treatment in the field study, was less than 1 at x and 2× doses, indicating an acceptable level of risk. Seasoning or quick frying of curry leaves in oil reduced maximum of thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole residues followed by treatment with NaCl (2%)/tamarind water (2%)/lemon water (2%) solutions. Analysis of 85 farm-gate samples revealed detectable residues of thiamethoxam in 25 samples (0.03–0.49 mg kg−1) and chlorantraniliprole in 1 sample (0.18 mg kg−1). The HI for the maximum quantity of insecticide residues detected in monitoring study was <1. Therefore, the research backs the idea of ensuring safe harvested produce, considering the field persistence of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam in curry leaf and simple decontamination methods to satisfy consumer need for clean food commodity, if properly adopted.

Comparing various bio-intensive pest management modules in rice

Rice is the key cereal crop in the tropics, supporting diverse pests and natural enemy populations. Recurrent pest outbreaks and yield losses led farmers to rely on extensive insecticide application, disturbing the stability of rice ecosystems and increasing residues in the harvestable products. A study has been conducted to assess the impact of various modules of Bio-Intensive Pest Management (BIPM) on its conservational potential and sustainability in comparison with Farmers’ Practices (FP) in Nalgonda district of Telangana state during kharif-2020. The BIPM practices included application of farm yard manure; rice husk ash; clipping of seedlings; alleyways and weekly release of Trichogramma japonicum in the main field; wet seed treatment and foliar application with Pseudomonas fluorescens (BIPM 1), Trichoderma asperellum strain TAIK1 (BIPM 2) and Bacillus cabrialesii strain BIK3 (BIPM 3). Whereas, FP 1 with need-based insecticide spraying and FP 2 with schedule-based insecticide spraying and Untreated control with (UC) with no intervention. The observations were taken by visual counts at 15-day intervals. The incidence of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis was highest in UC (9.50), followed by BIPM 1 (7.25) and least in FP 2 (2.50) whereas the highest mean population of Apanteles sp. was found in the untreated control (13.75), followed by BIPM 3 (9.50) and least in FP 2 (4.25). The Benefit Cost Ratios (BCR) of BIPM 3 (1.68) were highest followed by BIPM 1 (1.64) and least in FP 2 (1.40) elucidating that BIPM practices can be more economically feasible. The Shannon-Wiener Index for species diversity and species evenness was higher in BIPM treatments as compared to farmers’ practices indicating the potential of these BIPM treatments in natural pest control and maintaining crop ecosystem stability.

Evaluation of integrated pest management module against fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Evaluation of integrated pest management module against fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Module against Pests of Ground Nut and Productivity, Profitability Analysis under Open Field Conditions

Background: Groundnut is an annual oilseed crop that is cultivated in many tropical and sub-tropical countries for its seed purpose. The productivity of groundnut has drastically reduced since 2015 due to an array of insect pests especially sucking pests have emerged as a prominent factor contributing to decreased yields in groundnut by direct damage as well as vectors of virus diseases. Methods: The integrated package of practices including seed treatment with fungicide (mancozeb @ 3 g/kg seed) followed by insecticide (imidacloprid @ 2 mL/kg seed) and new generation insecticides (imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos and flubendiamide) were evaluated against sucking pests (aphid, leaf hopper and thrips) and leaf feeders (Spodoptera litura) under open field conditions in scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh, India during 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. The parameters regarding incidence of pests, population reduction after treatment imposition, safety to natural enemies, phytotoxicity effects, extension gap, technology gap and technology index, were worked out in farmer’s field and demonstration field. Result: In this present study imidacloprid 17.8 SL was performed well in controlling aphids, leaf hoppers and thrips in all the three seasons and flubendiamide 39.35 SC was concluded as best treatment against Spodoptera litura in all seasons. During all the study years, the benefic cost ratio of demo practice indicates (1.26, 1.01 and 1.04) when compared to farmers practice (0.71, 0.69 and 0.76), respectively for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Similarly, the average extension gap, technology gap and yield gap were worked out and ranged from (3.4, 3.1 and 5.3), (1.82, 4.23 and 1.82), (12.72, 11.36 and 19.46) for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Formulation and Validation of Organic Insect Pest Management Module for Pests of Cabbage and Cauliflower in Valley and Foot Hills Region, Manipur, India

During the rabi seasons from 2017 to 2020 in the valley and foothill regions of Imphal, Manipur, a study was conducted to design and test three different organic insect pest management modules M1, M2 and M3 for cabbage and cauliflower. The focus was on three major pests: cabbage butterfly, diamondback moth, and cabbage aphid. Module three (M-3) emerged as the most effective strategy, incorporating various organic practices. This included seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum at 10g/kg seed and soil drenching in nursery plots at 25g/100 m2, intercropping with mustard, application of anonnin extract at 5 ml/litre, Spinosad 45% SC (biopesticide) at 3ml/10 litres, and Verticillium lecanii at 10 ml/litre. Additionally, the module incorporated the installation of yellow sticky traps for aphids and pheromone traps for diamondback moths for monitoring and mass trapping. The results indicated that Module 3 performed well than other modules and the control group in reducing insect pest incidence on cabbage and cauliflower with the number of cabbage butterfly ranging from 0.07 to 0.11, in both cabbage and cauliflower, where as 0.06 to 0.04 in case of Diamond back moth and 0.21 to 0.47 number of cabbage aphid per square inch leaf area with B:C ratio of 1:12.4 and 1:12.7 for cabbage and 1:6:39 and1:6.41 for cauliflower at lamphel and lanol fields, respectively. Moreover, it contributed to an increased yield, demonstrating its superiority in organic insect pest management for both valley and foothill regions. This underscores the effectiveness of a holistic and integrated approach to pest management in organic farming practices.

Impact of IPM Modules on Natural Enemies in Okra

Three modules viz., M1- integrated pest management (IPM) module, M2- bio-intensive pest management (BIPM) module and M3- farmer’s routine pest management module formulated against insect pests of okra were evaluated simultaneously at two locations to know their impact on spider and coccinellid predators. Seven and two species of spiders and coccinellids, respectively, were recorded. Pooled data revealed that BIPM module was found to be safe for the predators.

Evaluation of different integrated pest management modules against leafhopper in okra

Evaluation of different integrated pest management modules against leafhopper in okra

Assessment of Integrated Pest Management Modules against Fall Army Worm and Its Economic Impact in Maize

Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the IPM modules and their economic impact against Fall Armyworm in maize through on farm trail (OFT).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in the farmers’ fields of Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana during Rabi 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.&#x0D; Methodology: The main objective of on farm trail is to test and evaluate the findings of the research stations at the farmer's field and to refine and modify the technologies, if required for better adoption by farmers. The KVK, Bhadradri Kothagudem conducted on farm trail for the management of fall armyworm in maize during Rabi 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, as part of technical programme of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhadradri Kothagudem in KVK operational area of adopted villages.&#x0D; Results: In technology assessment plot (On farm trail) the treatments followed were avoiding staggered sowing of maize, installation of pheromone traps @ 8-10 per acre, clean cultivation, balanced application of fertilizers, erection of bird perches @10/acre, spraying of Azadiractin (1500ppm) to repel the egg laying and need based whorl application of Emamectin benzoate @ 0.5g/l and Metarrhizium anisopliae @ 5g/l of water, if more than8 adult moths were trapped in the pheromone trap for three consecutive days. It was compared with the farmers practice plots i.e application of Carbofuran 3G granules @ 3kg/acre and indiscriminate usage of fertilizers and insecticides. The experiment was conducted in five locations. The benefit cost ratio (BC Ratio) was higher in technology assessed plots with 2.78, 2.63 and 2.75 whereas BC ratio was comparatively lower in farmers practice plots with 2.43, 2:21 and 2.25 in corresponding Rabi 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. &#x0D; Conclusion: Technology assessed package proved its effectiveness among maize farmers with increased net returns, lower per cent of FAW incidence and high yield and BC ratio compared to the farmers practiceduring Rabi 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. Hence, this on farm trial proved to be feasible for demonstration in wide scale to farming community of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

Validation of Integrated Pest Management Modules against Piercing and Sucking Insect Pest of Rice

Background: Rice is one of the most common cereal crops in India, which has been found attacked by several insect pests including hoppers, stem borer, leaf folder, gall midge and ear head bugs. Farmers typically employ insecticides as preventative and curative management which causes needless issues. Although integrated pest management (IPM) has been recommended to nullify the ill effects of chemicals pesticides, farmers are hesitant to employ the IPM’s components and mostly rely on pesticides. IPM integrates knowledge-based techniques of biological, cultural, physical, host plant resistance and chemical control strategies in order to limit pest populations considered economically acceptable. Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of IPM strategy improving upon the crop productivity. Methods: An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module comprising of spacing, introduction of natural enemies, application of botanicals, entomopathogenic fungi, installation of yellow sticky traps and chemical pesticide (Thiamethoxam) was assessed in comparison with Farmers Practice (FP) (usual routine followed by the farmer during the cropping season) in the farmer’s fields. Result: The pooled mean data of per cent leaf incidence by Nephotettix virescens ranged between 4.59-6.25% during the two years research in IPM module, while in farmers practices mean leaf damage varied between 8.09-8.61%. Similarly, the leaf damage caused by Nilaparvata lugens ranged between 4.88-7.61% as compared to 8.64-10% in the farmers practices. The BC ration was recorded to be 1: 7.6 and 1:6.85 during 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Reflex of Different Pest Management Modules against Sucking Insect-pests and Pod Borer for the Safety of Beneficial Insects in Vegetable French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: Natural farming (NF) is a farming system that uses environmentally friendly pest and disease management practices. In contrast to chemical farming, it avoids use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides and hence, offers an alternative way for the eco-friendly pest management for the sustainable crop production. French bean crop is ravaged by wide array of insect pests wherein, sucking insect-pests like aphids, leaf miner and pod borer causing considerable damage. To manage these pests, farmers are spraying both recommended and non-recommended synthetic chemical pesticides having adverse effects on environment and human beings. Methods: Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the pest management strategies against sucking insect-pests and pod borer infesting French bean over a period of three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22 at College of Horticulture, Sirsi, Uttar Kannada (Hill Zone of Karnataka) during summer season. Four pest management modules viz., farmers practice, organic farming, natural farming (NF) and recommended package of practices (RPP) were evaluated to manage the pests in an eco-friendly manner. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with five replications comprising of four treatments. The standard protocol was followed for recording observations. Result: Among the different modules tested, farmers practice recorded lowest population of aphids, leaf miner and pod borer and was at par with recommended package of practices. Whereas, Organic farming and natural farming recorded moderate level of pest infestation and quite safe for maintaining the predators like Coccinellids, Chrysoperla carnea and spider population for natural predation. The cost of plant protection measures was also least in these modules which indicates the socially and economically acceptable farming practices which may be adopted for safer French bean production.

Evaluation of IPM Against Pest Complex of Okra

With the major pests such as shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are causing qualitative and quantitative loss to okra. In this study along with this two other important pests like leafhopper, Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla and aphids, Aphis gossypii were also studied. For controlling pests sustainable approach is required which causes less environmental hazard and economically affordable to farmers. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module based upon integration of resistant cultivars, cultural, mechanical and physical methods, natural enemies, biopesticides and pesticides to suppress pest population is the best solution.

Evaluation of IPM modules against major sucking insect pests of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the major oilseed crops, contributing 45% of oilseed production in India. Being a cash crop, groundnut helps farmers to support themselves and their families. Additionally, it gives farm families access to nutrient-dense groundnut kernels, which are high in protein and energy and it also provides nutritious fodder (haulms) to livestock. Insect pest menace is one of the few essential biotic stresses contributing towards lower yield. The sucking pests like aphids, leafhoppers and thrips are the major biotic constraints for a crop like groundnut. Currently, farmers are accustomed to using synthetic insecticides to control their infestation. Unregulated insecticide use may also endanger farm-friendly insects. This practice must be replaced with some other methodologies such as integrated pest management modules. Therefore, present study was carried out to evaluate 11 different IPM modules including untreated (control) against sucking insect pests of groundnut during rainy (kharif) season of 2020 and 2021 at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan. The maximum per cent reduction in sucking insect pests populations was observed in module M10 (farmer practices-imidacloprid) and mentioned as effective IPM module. The maximum pod yield of 27.08 q/ha was also obtained in the module M10. On the basis of cost benefit (B:C) ratio the module M10 gave the highest ratio (25.62) followed by M7 (12.35) and M1 (12.15).

Field Evaluation of Different Pest Management Modules against Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) Infesting Brinjal in Tripura

Field Evaluation of Different Pest Management Modules against Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) Infesting Brinjal in Tripura

Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) Module for Major Insect Pest Thrips and Diseases of Onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum)

In the validation of IPDM module (Seed treatment with thiophanate methyl) @ 2.5 g kg-1 seed, soil application of Bacillus subtilis @ 1.25 kg ha-1 + Trichoderma asperellum @ 1.25 kg ha-1 + VAM fungi @ 12.5kg ha-1 + Azophos @ 4kg ha-1 + neem cake @ 250 kg ha-1 + blue sticky traps (20 traps per 0.4 ha at 30 cm height above the onion plant) + need based application of tebuconazole @ 1.5 mL l-1 for purple blotch disease management + need based application of (3.3% mefenoxam + 33.1% chlorothalonil SC 0.1 %) followed by 23.4% mandipropamid SC 0.1% for downy mildew management + fipronil 5% SC @ 1.0 mL l-1 for thrips) against thrips and major diseases of onion revealed significant reduction of purple blotch (10.7 PDI) downy mildew (6.1 PDI), twister blight (11.1 PDI) and thrips population (1.76 nos leaf -1) as against 25.0, 24.2,11.3 and 4.6 respectively in control. In the farmer's practice, the disease, severity, and thrips population recorded were 16.9 PDI, 8.7 PDI, 16.6 PDI, and 3.28 nos leaf -1, which emphasizes the effectiveness of the IPDM module. The reduction of the disease severity and thrips population over control in the IPDM module was 57.20%, 46.01%, 54.13 %, and 61.73 %, recording an economic return of 1:3.12. Hence, the validated IPDM module may be recommended to manage thrips, purple blotch, downy mildew and twister blight in onion to reduce the use of chemical pesticides

Evaluation of bio-intensive pest management module (BIPM) against shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guene on brinjal

Evaluation of bio-intensive pest management module (BIPM) against shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guene on brinjal

Evaluation of integrated pest management module formajor insect pests of castor in Tamil Nadu

Field trials were conducted during kharif season of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the integrated pest management (IPM) module against major insect pests of castor in comparison with farmer's practice and untreated control. The IPM module viz., application of Btk @ 1 g/l for management ofsemilooper (Achaea janata), monitoring of tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) using pheromone trap (@ 4/acre from 30 DAS to November) and collection and destruction of gregarious stages of defoliators, application of flubendiamide 39.35 SC @ 0.2ml/l (for tobacco when foliar damage reaching 25%) and profenofos 50 EC @ 1ml/l (for capsule borer and or leafhopper when damage is reaching 10%) was found effective against insect pests in castor. After the treatment, mean population ofsemilooper (0.75 larva/plant), tobacco caterpillar (1.75 larva/plant), hairy caterpillar (0.67 larva/plant), capsule borer (1.02%), leafhopper (5.77 numbers/3 leaves/plant), and thrips (3.50 thrips/spike) was low in IPM module. Per cent parasitization by Microplitis maculipennis on semilooper larvae was highest (55.9%) in untreated control plots followed by IPM module plots (22.77%). Highest seed yield of 1770 kg/ha with favourable B:C ratio of 2.68 recorded from IPM module plot.

Evaluation of integrated pest management module for major insect pests of castor in Tamil Nadu

Field trials were conducted during kharif season of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the integrated pest management (IPM) module against major insect pests of castor in comparison with farmer's practice and untreated control. The IPM module viz., application of Btk @ 1 g/l for management ofsemilooper (Achaea janata), monitoring of tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) using pheromone trap (@ 4/acre from 30 DAS to November) and collection and destruction of gregarious stages of defoliators, application of flubendiamide 39.35 SC @ 0.2ml/l (for tobacco when foliar damage reaching 25%) and profenofos 50 EC @ 1ml/l (for capsule borer and or leafhopper when damage is reaching 10%) was found effective against insect pests in castor. After the treatment, mean population ofsemilooper (0.75 larva/plant), tobacco caterpillar (1.75 larva/plant), hairy caterpillar (0.67 larva/plant), capsule borer (1.02%), leafhopper (5.77 numbers/3 leaves/plant), and thrips (3.50 thrips/spike) was low in IPM module. Per cent parasitization by Microplitis maculipennis on semilooper larvae was highest (55.9%) in untreated control plots followed by IPM module plots (22.77%). Highest seed yield of 1770 kg/ha with favourable B:C ratio of 2.68 recorded from IPM module plot.

Development and validation of integrated pest management modules against spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius on garden bean Lablab purpureus var. typicus (L.)

To reduce the detrimental effect of insecticides, an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module is necessary for the eco-friendly management of Maruca vitrata in garden bean ecosystem. Two field trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides and botanicals against M. vitrata on Lablab purpureus var. typicus. Two seasons field evaluation of insecticides revealed that chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC was the most effective treatment to control the pest recorded 0.11 and 0.36 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively after two rounds of spray followed by flubendiamide 20 WG (0.46 and 0.92 larva/ plant) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG (0.50 and 0.95 larva/plant). Among botanicals tested, commercial neem formulation and 5% Ageratina adenophora recorded the least larval count of 1.64 &amp; 1.05 larva/plant and 2.24 &amp; 1.45 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively. IPM modules were developed with three effective insecticides (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, flubendiamide 20 WG and emamectin benzoate 5 SG), two effective botanicals (commercial neem formulation 1500 ppm and 5% A. adenophora) along with the pheromone trap for validation. All the IPM modules were equally effective in managing M. vitrata population on L. purpureus and recorded a significantly (at 5 %) lower larval population than the farmer’s practice. The residues of chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide and emamectin benzoate reached below the detectable level at the time of harvest. The population reduction of predatory coccinellids and spiders was also lower in IPM modules than in farmer’s practice. An increased benefit cost (1.95 to 1.99) ratio was observed in IPM modules.