Studies on insecticide resistance monitoring and management strategies for sustainable production of cotton

Besides leaving residues, continuous and consistent use of insecticides and pesticides led to development of resistance among pests and vectors and adverse effect on target organisms. Results of the experiment revealed that the high level of resistance was recorded in the pyrethrold-cypermethrln (58.01%) followed by moderate level in organophosphates-chlorpyrlphos (30.15%) and endosulfan the least (10.95%). Maximum mean mortality percent was found in the order of endosulfan (89.15), methomyl (82.20) and qulnolphos (81.70) with least in cypermethrln (41.99). The insecticide resistance management strategies earlier developed were further refined and disseminated in 15 villages of Chhlndwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The adoption of these strategies by the farmers in project villages resulted in better management of cotton pests with increased production and profitability. The declining trend in consumption of pesticides in project villages (1.9 No of spray) was found as compared to control village (5.8 No of spray). The maximum seed cotton yield was recorded in project village (1396 kg/ha followed by control village (998 kg/ha). The cost of cultivation was low i.e. Rs. 10317/ha in project village compared to Rs. 13874/ha in control village. The net profit in project village was Rs. 17613/ha with a cost-benefit ratio of 1: 2.70 as compared to Rs. 9122/ha net profit and 1:1.43 cost-benefit ratio. The farmers, who where spraying these crops with organophosphates and pyrothroids for 10–12 times during crop period have come down to spray only 2–4 times and that too with the recommended insecticides which are either chemicals, biological or botanicals.