Development and Promotion of IPM Package in Rainfed Bt and non-Bt Cotton Cropping System — A Case Study-II

Studies on development and promotion of IPM technology in rainfed, Bt and non-Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties were carried out for four consecutive years (2001–2004) at the two locattons at Nawandi and Loha, Nanded in 6^th agro-ecological region of India. Sucking pests were 31.4% and 12.2% more in non-IPM than the IPM fieldd of Bt and non-Bt cotton, respectively. Similarly, bollworms infestation was 88.1% and 50.3% more in non-IPM than IPM fields of Bt and non-Bt cotton. However, cumulative moth catches per pheromone-trap of all the bollworms were 55.3% and 63.5% more in both the IPM fields. Similarly, the eumber of natural enemies of the pests per plant was more (3.75–3.57) in IPM fields as compared to non-IPM (0.55–0.94). Cost-benefit ratio analysis of Bt and non-Bt cotton indicated that the production of 928 kg cotton ha⁻¹ in IPM required an investment of Rs. 2454 ha⁻¹ for crop protection as compared to Rs. 3161 ha⁻¹ in non-IPM plots, for production of 384 kg cotton ha⁻¹. A net profit of Rs. 18013 ha⁻¹ was obtained from IPM plots as against Rs. 6679 from non-IPM plots, which led to a cost:benefit ratio of 1:4.27 in IPM conditions over non-IPM one.