Validation of bio-intensive modules towards the management of viral and phytoplasma diseases of Brinjal, Solanum melongena L.

Development of bio-intensive module was carried out at Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Virinjipuram for a period of two years during 2017–19 in kharif and rabi against viral and phytoplasma diseases of brinjal. The module thus developed was tested in two locations viz, ARS farm, Virinjipuram and at farmers’ field to assess the performance of Bio-intensive Integrated Disease Management (BIDM) module against the mosaic, little leaf disease and whitefly during Kharif2020. The results revealed that the BIDM was found superior in minimising the mosaic incidence in both locations tested and recorded 5.16 and 6.12 per cent also with lowest little leaf incidence. The lowest whitefly population was also recorded in bio-intensive module adopted plots when compared to farmers’ practice at all stages of crop growth. At 30 days after transplanting (DAT), the whitefly population of 4.45 and 3.77 number per plant was recorded at ARS, Virinjipuram and at farmers’ field. With respect to fruit yield, an adoption of bio-intensive module registered a significantly higher yield both at ARS farm (34.02 t/ha) and at farmers’ field (30.36 t/ha) coupled with higher benefit cost ratio of 5.84 and 5.18 where as in farmers’ practice the lowest fruit yield of 31.71 t/ha with BC ratio of 5.57 at ARS farm and 25.68 t/ha of fruit yield with CB ratio of 1:4.43 in farmers’ field were recorded.