An IPM module developed for rainfed cotton was validated during 2001–2002 to 2003–2004 over an area of 42 ha taking 53 farm families in village Nawandi, District Nanded, Maharashtra. The module was compared with non-IPM (farmers' practices) adopted for plant protection over an area of 2.6 ha from five farm families. IPM module effectively reduced the sucking pest population during early stage of the crop and lowered the bollworm damage. The mean population of the aphids, jassids, thrips and whiteflies recorded over a period of 11 weeks for three consecutive years was 7.80, 0.4, 5.65 and 0.39/plant in IPM plots as against 44.81, 1.45, 15.08 and 0.57 in non-IPM plots, respectively. The infestation in squares and flowers, green boll and shed material in IPM plots was 1.78, 2.82 and 32.48 while it was 6.88, 7.17 and 42.47 in non-IPM plots, respectively. Also the IPM plots conserved the natural enemies due to less application of insecticides. The ladybird beetle and Chrysoperla population in IPM plots was 2.71 and 0.13/plant whereas it was 0.51 and 0.04 in non-IPM plots, respectively.
Insect pests, IPM, Gossypium hirsutum
