Biointensive management of brinjal shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis guenee

Biointensive integrated pest management (BIPM), insecticidal management, state recommended practices and farmers’ practices were evaluated for their efficacy against brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB) during 2016 and 2017. BIPM module recorded the lowest (8.4%) shoot damage while a maximum of 12.1% was observed with insecticidal management. Fruit damage was less (20.7%) in farmers’ practices over insecticidal management (34.0%). Yield of marketable fruits was more (464.9 q/ha) in farmers’ practices, at par with BIPM (442.0 q/ha). Yield (377.8 q/ha) of marketable fruits in insecticidal management was statistically on par with state recommended practices (383.1 q/ha). Despite the higher net returns (Rs. 4, 77, 865), B: C ratio was lower (3.9) in farmers’ practices because of the higher cost of production. BIPM produced net returns of Rs. 4, 64, 201 with a high B: C ratio of 4.4. Thus, BIPM proved to be the best management option for economic production of brinjal.