Indian Journal of Entomology

Pest management modules against pollu beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Motschulsky in black pepper were evaluated at Sippighat Farms of Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair during 2008–09 and 2009–10 crop seasons. The berry damage by pollu beetle was significantly lower in all the modules as compared to control at each picking as well as in pooled analysis. Integrated module included pruning of branches, neem cake application @ 250g/vine and alternate foliar spray of 0.5% neem seed kernel extract and 0.5% quinalphos. The pooled data revealed that integrated module (T₂) and organic module (T₁) recorded significantly lower berry damage (3.13 and 8.58%) than farmers’ practice (T₃) (14.78%) and untreated control (T₄) (16.19%) during 2008–09. The maximum fresh yield of black pepper, 687.56 and 635.34kg/ha, was recorded in integrated module followed by 385.50 and 374.67kg/ha in organic module during 2008–09 and 2009–10, respectively. The yield in untreated control was only 213.33 and 207.59kg/ha in both the seasons.