Development and Promotion of Farmer-Participatory IPM Technology in Irrigated Cotton Cropping System — A Case Study-I

Studies on farmer-participatory IPM technology in irrigated high-yielding cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties were carried out for four consecutive years (2001–2004) in two irrigated regions of northern India covering 25 villages in Kahnewal (Punjab) and in 23 villages in Hizrawan Kalan area (Haryana). Both locations are situated in second agro-ecological region of India. During the experimental years, incidence of the insect pests was found to be 69.0 and 74.8% lower in IPM, compared to non-IPM fields in the above locattons, respectively. Jassids and whiteflies populations was found to be 39.3 and 39.6% more in non-PM fields, respectively. The number of amerrcan bbllworm (Helicoverpa armigera) eggs and larvae were elso found to be higher (57.8 and 59.7% more) and 71.9% higher bollworm-incidence in non-IPM fields. Installation technique and number of pheromone traps per hectare was found significantly effective. Overall moth catches were around 60% more in IPM fields at both the experimental locations. Natural enemies of the cotton pests were 33.4% more in IPM than non-IPM fields. The IPM farmers applled 36.3% less insecticide sprays and obtained 16.09 q ha⁻¹ crop yields as compared to 9.85 q ha⁻¹ yield by non-IPM farmers.