Occurrance of Natural Enemies and Economics in IPM Components for Organic Farming in Brinjal

Different treatment schedules in various combinations viz. shoot clipping (mechanical), barrier crops (cultural), application of neem formulations and Bt formulations (biopesticides) and neem cake and vermicompost were evaluated for the occurrence and conservation of natural enemies in Solanum melongena. Baby corn was used as a barrier crop in four treatments with and without foliar application of neem formulations viz., neemol^®, neem azal^®, neem baan^® @ 5ml/lit, NSKE 5% and econeem^® @ 3ml/lit and Bt formualtion, lipel. The maximum marketable yield (11.73 ton/ha) with maximum net profit (Rs. 42433.33/-) were recorded in the treatment comprising of shoot clipping, vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ha and 4 sprays with lipel @ 1ml/lit. The highest cost benefit ratio (1: 7.5) was also recorded in this treatment. The activity of insect predators was maximum (coccinellids: 4.67/5 plants and spiders: 3.75/5 plants) in treatment comprising of brinjal intercropped with baby corn along with shoot clipping and foliar application of neemol^® @ 5ml/lit.