Evaluation of IPM module against paddy major pests in Palakkad, Kerala

Integrated pest management module was tested over a period of four years (2018–19 to 2021–22) in comparison to traditional farmer's method during second crop season (rabi) at farmers field in Kondurkara, Ongallur, Palakkad District, Kerala over an area one acre each using the rice variety (Uma). IPM package included nursery drenching with cartaphydrochloride granules @ 1000 g a.i./ha followed by azadirachtin 1% spray at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 70 days after transplanting along with installation pheromone traps for yellow stem borer and release of egg parasitoids viz., Trichogramma japonicum against yellow stem borer and T. chilonis against leaf folder. The pooled results of all the four years showed that IPM module recorded lowest damage stemborer with a reduction of 72.49% (Dead heart) and 52.68% (White ear) and leaf folder (40.73%) with increased grain yield (15.77%) and higher Benefit Cost ratio over farmers plot.