Integrated pest management module against pod borer complex in pigeon pea (Cajanus Cajan L.)

A study on integrated pest management (IPM) module towards pod borer complex in pigeon pea was conducted during the year 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Station, Virinjipuram with an objective to assess its yield and economic benefits of the module. The results revealed that there was a remarkable decrease in pod borer population taken at different stages of crop growth viz., flowering, pod-formation and at pod-maturity. The larval population of H. armigera (6.43 No/plant) and M. vitrata (11.0 No/plant) were reported in farmers’ practice. However, the highest larval population of H. armigera (13.0 No/plant) and M. vitrata (14.4 No/plant) was reported in untreated check (control) with the lowest in IPM module. At the time of harvest, pod damage due to different pod borers viz., H. armigera, M. vitrata and M. obtusa were recorded in IPM module, farmers’ practice and untreated check. Among the podborers the highest per cent damage was caused due to M. obtusa in all the three modules tested and reported as IPM (10.29), farmers’ practice (17.14) and untreated (19.43). The reduction in the larval population and pod damage in IPM treated plots resulted in significant increase in yield (1325 kg/ha) followed by farmers’ practice (1045 kg/ha) and in untreated check (757 kg/ha). The difference in the yield increase was noticed due to an additional investment of Rs.4000/ha towards IPM module and Rs.2500/ha towards farmers’ practice. The excess expenditure incurred resulted in the highest net return of Rs. 44,375/-ha in IPM module as compared to farmers’ practice with Rs.23,260/-ha with the lowest return in untreated check (Rs.17135/- ha).