Performance of frontline demonstrations on integrated pest management in chilli

Chilli (Capsicum annum L) is an important vegetable crop cultivated in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu conducted frontline demonstrations on the integrated pest management technology in chilli at Thuvarangadu village of Keezhapavoor block during rabi season of 2018-19. The IPM strategies viz dipping of seedlings in imidacloprid 70 WS @ 2 g/l of water, border crop with Sesbania grandiflora, spraying of neem oil @ 1 per cent, installation of yellow sticky traps @ 12/ha, installation of pheromone traps @ 12/ha, spraying of HaNPV @ 200 LE/ha, spraying of fenazaquin 10 EC @ 2 ml/l and need-based application of fipronil 5 per cent SL @ 1.5 ml/l were applied. The results revealed that adoption of IPM practices recorded the lower incidence of thrips (10.5%) and fruit borer (5.3%) as compared to the farmers’ practices. Similarly the natural enemies population (4-6/plant) was also recorded higher in IPM practices fields compared to the famers’ practices (1-2/plant). IPM demonstration plots recorded higher yield (11.5 tonnes/ha), net return (Rs 1,03,180) and benefitcost ratio (2.51).