Validation and Promotion of Farmer-Participatory IPM Technology in Chickpea - A Case Study

Studies on development and promotion of IPM technology in high yielding and tolerant chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) variety, RSG-44 were carried out for three consecutive crop seasons (2001–2004). Large area of chickpea growing fields comprising about 50 ha was adopted in 4 villages of Kota district. Rajasthan. which is located in 6^th agro-ecological region of India. In adopted IPM fields, an average of 72.2 pods plant with 8.45% pod borer damage were found as compared to only 62.58 pods with 16.27% pod borer damage under conventional (non-IPM) conditions, indicating around 50% more pod damage in non-IPM plots. Root length of the plants was found significantly more as compared to non-IPM fields from 2001–2004. Similarly, shoot length was also found significantly greater in IPM fields than the non-IPM fields. Number of root nodules was recorded 12.9 plant⁻¹ in IPM fields, whereas, 7.2 plant⁻¹ in non-IPM fields. Due to reduction of sprays of chemical insecticides in IPM practice, an abundant number of predatory birds were observed in IPM fields. An average yield of 16.13 q ha⁻¹ was achieved in IPM and only 9.93 q ha⁻¹ in non-IPM fields. Similarly, the cost-benefit ratio of 1:4.35 was recorded in IPM while it was 1:2.44 in non-IPM one.