Validation of Integrated Pest Management Module for Castor and Pigeonpea Intercropping System for Rainfed Agroecosystem

Field trials were conducted for the validation of integrated pest management (IPM) package for the castor and pigeonpea intercropping system in rainfed agro-ecosystem for the state of Andhra Pradesh, India during 2002 and 2003 seasons. IPM package comprising of use of wilt tolerant variety Kranti, soil applicatton of Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg mixed with 10 t FYM ha⁻¹, seed treatment with carbendazim (2 g kg⁻¹ seed), intercropping of castor (4:1) with redgram (variety PRG-100), hand picking and destruction of egg masses and early stage larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fab.), release of egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis @ 1,25,000 ha⁻¹, application on neem seed kernel eltract (NSKE @ 5%), installation of “T” shaped wooden biid perches @ 22 ha⁻¹, pheromone traps @ 10 ha⁻¹ for monitoring S. litura population, collectton and destruction of grey rot affected spikes and prophylactic spray of carbendazim (1 g L⁻¹) against Botrytis disease proved effective in reducing the incidence of insect pests and diseases on the castor crop in comparison to farmers’ practices which included the application of chemical pesticides only. Higher larval parasitism upto 73.5% of Achaea Janata by braconoid, Microplitis maculipennis were observed in the fields with IPM package. The higher castor seed yield (9.1–12.5 q ha⁻¹) and cost benefit (C:B) ratio (1.94–3.13) was obtained from IPM package as compared to the yield of 6.7–9.9 q ha⁻¹ and C:B ratio of 1.40–2.03 obtained under farmers’ practices.