Validation of IPM technologies for the castor crop in rainfed agro-ecosystem.

摘要

A large-scale field trial was conducted at 5 villages in Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh, India during 2001/02 and 2002/03 to evaluate integrated pest management (IPM) technology for castor (Ricinus communis) under rainfed agroecosystem. The IPM package, comprising the use of wilt-resistant cv. Jyoti, seed treatment with carbendazim at 2 g/kg seed, hand picking and destruction of egg masses and early-stage larvae of Spodoptera litura, Spilosoma obliqua [Spilarctia obliqua] and Euproctis fraterna, application of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) at 5%, installation of 15 "T" shaped wooden bird perches and 5 pheromone traps per hectare for monitoring Spodoptera litura population and prophylactic spray of carbendazim at 0.05% against Botrytis disease, was more effective than the modified IPM package (utilizing endosulfan at 0.07% instead of NSKE at 5%) and farmer's practice (utilizing chemical pesticides). Castor seed yield was 5.32, 5.30 and 4.15 q/ha and benefit:cost ratio was 2.4, 2.27 and 1.78 under IPM, modified IPM and farmer's practice, respectively.