Comparative evaluation of different Pest Management Strategies on Cotton

Studies were carried out to examine the profitability of IPM vis-a-vis non-IPM fanning practices under rainfed conditions. During the study period, higher incidence of natural enemies was observed in IPM and untreated check, while these insects were kept at low in farmers and ETL blocks due to insecticide sprays. In IPM module, the natural enemies were found playing a major role in suppressing the pest populations particularly early season sucking pest complex. The economics of control strategies and the resultant monitory returns revealed that the cost benefit ratio was highest in IPM strategy (4.42) as it required minimum insecticidal interventions. IPM programme successfully resulted in lower production costs through reduced pesticide consumption which ultimately helped in conserving naural enemy species and sustaining biodiversity.