Evaluation of eco-friendly management modules against major pests of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Two field trials were carried out to evaluate three different IPM modules viz., Bio-intensive, recommended and suggestive modules in comparison with farmers practice and control for the management of major pests of chilli under irrigated condition. Among the IPM modules, Suggestive module (M ₄) comprising of seed treatment with Pseudomonas @ 10 g/kg + Azophos 25 g/kg of seed, soil application FYM @ 12.5 t ha⁻¹ + Azophos @ 2 kg ha⁻¹ + Silica solubilizing bacteria @ 2 kg ha⁻¹ as basal + neem cake (300 kg ha⁻¹) in 2 splits at 30 and 60 days after planting, neem oil 3%, Chrysoperla carnea grub @ 10, 000 ha⁻¹, Four release of Trichogramma chilonis @ 50, 000 ha⁻¹ at weekly interval coinciding with flowering and emergence of moth, NPV @ 250 LE ha⁻¹ once after the last release of T. chilonis, NSKE 5% (two rounds) once at initiation of flowering and another at 50% flowering and spinosad 48 SC @ 0.4 ml l⁻¹ during fruit formation was significantly superior over rest of the modules. Suggestive module recorded the lowest population of thrips, mites and leaf curl index (LCI) with the higher chilli yield (1878 kg/ha) and the highest benefit cost ratio (1: 3.50). The recommended module (M₃) ranked next to suggestive module.