Field Evaluation of Bio-Intensive IPM Modules against Important Insect Pests of Mustard under North Coastal Plain Zone of Odisha

Abstract

Studies on the efficacy on some biocontrol based IPM modules against the important insect pests of mustard were carried out at the farmers' field of Balasore district of Odisha during the rabi seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13. A significantly lower incidence of mustard aphid, saw fly, painted bug and cabbage webber were observed in all the IPM modules in comparison to the farmers' practice of scheduled based insecticide application. However, the minimum population of aphid (13.56/10 cm twig of plant), saw fly (3.93 larvae/10 plants), cabbage webber (4.20 caterpillar/10 plants) and painted bug (4.86 bugs/10 plants) were recorded in the module M1 comprising of two foliar spray of neem based pesticides (300 ppm azadirachitin) @ 5 ml/l of water at 40 and 55 days after sowing (DAS), twice release of two-days old first instar larvae of Chrysoperla zastrowii sillemi @ 20000/ha at 50 and 60 DAS and installation of yellow sticky traps (@ 25/ha. Besides, the population of natural enemies like lace wing bugs, coccinellid beetles, syrphid flies and pollinators like honey bees was significantly higher in all the IPM plots in comparison with farmers practice indicating that the IPM modules were comparatively less harmful to these beneficial insects. The yield obtained in the IPM modules were found to be significantly higher than the farmers practice (7.95 q/ha) and the maximum yield was recorded in M1 (11.17 q/ha) with highest net return (18628.00), B: C ratio (1.96) and incremental B:C ratio (2.37).