Management of Spilosoma Obliquawalker in blackgram

Black gram is an important pulse crop of Punjab state which is grown during summer and kharif seasons. Due to heavy losses in black gram yield by hairy caterpillar attack under Punjab conditions, on-farm trials on PAU recommended crop variety Mash 114 were conducted on 4haarea during kharif season of 2018 and 2019. The results revealed that T2-farmers’ plots under recommended university practice and T3-KVK intervention with homemade natural insecticide gave similar yield of black gram as 9.30 and 9.29 q/ha, respectively which was higher than T1-control plots (7.26 q/ha). The benefit cost ratio of T2 (1.65:1) and T3 demonstration plots (1.66:1) was also higher than T1 plots (1.31:1). The yield increase of KVK demonstration plots over control plot was observed 27.96per cent. Thus, it can be concluded that black gram productivity could be enhanced by encouraging the farmers by using desi cow urine and ecofriendly insecticides which is ecologically sound and effective solution for hairy caterpillar management in comparison with chemical control.