Field evaluation of eco-friendly IPM strategies against sucking pests in Chilli ecosystem

The results of the investigation revealed that the treatment T₆ comprising seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/kg of seed + intercrop with onion (6: 1) + foliar application of Beauveria bassiana@ 1 X 10⁻⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ at 20 and 35 days after transplanting (DAT) + thiomethoxam 25 WG @ 100g ha⁻¹ at 50 and 65 DAT resulted in effective control of aphids and thrips. Nevertheless with regard to yellow mite of chilli, the treatment T₅ seed treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10 g/kg of seed + intercropping with onion (6: 1) + foliar application of B. bassiana@ 1 X 10⁻⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ at 20 and 35 DAT+ spiromesifen 22.9 SC @ 500 ml ha⁻¹ at 50 and 65 DAT found to be very promising. But the treatment T₄ seed treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10 g/kg of seed + intercropping with onion (6: 1) + foliar application B. bassiana @ 1 X 10⁻⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ at 20 and 35 DAT + abamectin 1.9 EC @ 125 ml ha⁻¹ at 50 and 65 DAT was found very effective against these sucking pests coupled with higher yield (CBR). Hence, it can be concluded that the treatment T₄ in comparison with T₅ and T₆ proved to be an effective IPM strategy as it effectively suppressed the early occurring sucking pests viz., aphids, thrips and mites for sustainable production of chilli