Development and Validation of Adaptable IPM in Okra Through Farmers Participatory Approach

Five different crop protection modules viz., bio-intensive (module I), cultural + mechanical + bio-intensive (module II), cultural + mechanical + bio-intensive + chemical (module III), farmers practices (module IV) and untreated control (module V) were evaluated in summer and kharif okra crop for their comparative effectiveness against the major insect pests and diseases. In summer, pest management modules were not effective in managing the pest population, however need based application of pesticides resulted in reduction of three chemical sprays. In kharif okra, crop protection module (III) comprising of releases of egg parasite Trichogramma chilonis @ 1 lakh/ha based on monitoring of pest population using pheromone trap, three sprays of NSKE @ 5% intermittently with need based application of chemical pesticides and periodic removal of borer and disease affected plants was found significantly superior over all other crop protection modules in managing the pest complex of okra crop. A large build up of natural enemies viz, spiders and coccinellids were observed in unprotected crop module. Farmers of village were advocated to release T. chilonis, spray NSKE @ 5 % intermittently with need based application of chemical pesticides for the effective management of insect pests and diseases in kharif okra.