Pesticides Usage Pattern of Curry Leaf, Murraya koeinigii (L.) Sprengel in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu

Field survey on insecticide use pattern against curry leaf pests was conducted during the year 2012 in Coimbatore, a major and most representative curry leaf growing district of Tamil Nadu. Studies revealed that 98% of farmers reported psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama as the major curry leaf pest followed by leaf roller, Psorosticha zizyphi Staintion (76%) and cream coloured Tetranychus urticae Koch (8%). Majority of the farmers (32 numbers) widely used Polytrin C, an insecticide mixture of Profenofos 40% + Cypermethrin 4%, followed by Exodus (25 numbers) and Monocrotophos (19 numbers) for the management of curry leaf pest. With respect to frequency of pesticides application, 52% of farmers spray pesticides at every 10 days interval. Most of the farmers (50%) used the dosage of 30 ml of insecticides per tank, whereas more number of sprays (5 numbers) was given in the month of November. Farmer's responses on more number of spray application was 98% during the harvest interval period of October to December with 13 numbers of sprays. Except plant product (48%), relatively low responses were recorded on knowledge on eco-friendly pest management practices. Around 84% of farmers get their plant protection advice from pesticide dealers. Eco-friendly pest management and extension educational interventions are necessary to produce pesticide residue free curry leaf.