International Journal of Farm Sciences

A field study was conducted during the kharif season of 2018 in Pune, Maharashtra to evaluate the efficacy of various bio-intensive pest management (BIPM) packages against the major pod borer complex of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan cv Vipula) and their impact on natural enemies. Eight treatments were tested, including six BIPM packages, one chemical control (chlorpyriphos – chlorpyriphos – chlorantraniliprole – spinosad) and an untreated control. The primary pests monitored were the gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), Tur pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa), Tur plume moth (Exelastis atomosa) and spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata). The chemical control treatment consistently recorded the lowest mean larval population across all four pests, achieving maximum reduction ranging from 79.38 to 82.90 per cent over the control. Consequently, chemical control treatment recorded the lowest total pod damage (7.51%) with an 83.24 per cent reduction in infestation. Among the BIPM packages, neem seed extract – Metarhizium anisopliae – HaNPV – Bacillus thuringiensis treatment was the most effective, recording the second-lowest overall pod damage (10.62%, 76.31% reduction) and the highest reduction against the gram pod borer (51.74%). A crucial trade-off was observed concerning non-target organisms: the chemical insecticides were found to adversely affect the populations of natural enemies (coccinellids, chrysopids, and spiders). In contrast, the BIPM package (neem seed extract – M anisopliae – HaNPV – B thuringiensis) actively supported the maximum buildup of natural enemy populations (coccinellids at 2.20, chrysopids at 0.63 and spiders at 1.23 per plant). While chemical control provided immediate, maximum pest reduction, BIPM packages, particularly neem seed extract – M anisopliae – HaNPV – B thuringiensis, offerred significant, eco-friendly control (around 36 to 52% reduction in individual pests) while safeguarding the essential pest-defender balance.