Department of Entomology, Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, India.
1Present address: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 004, India.
The study on efficacy of organic amendments and cultural practice against cotton stem weevil revealed that basal applications of FYM @ 12.5 t/ha and neem cake @ 250 kg/ha with earthing up at 25 days after sowing (DAS) reduced the stem weevil incidence most effectively, followed by soil application of carbofuran 3 G @ 30 kg/ha and basal application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha with earthing up at 25 DAS. Highest yield and maximum gross income (Rs. 16,910/ha) were obtained in basal applications of FYM and neem cake with earthing up at 25 DAS, followed by soil application of carbofuran 3 G with Rs. 16,397. Though, these treatments registered higher gross incomes, the incremental cost benefit ratios (ICBR) were comparatively low due to higher cost incurred on the treatment. Highest ICBR (1:3.95) was recorded in basal application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha, followed by one per cent neem oil drenching (1:3.32), soil application of carbofuran 3 G @ 30 kg/ha (1:2.60) and earthing up at 25 DAS (1:2.58).
