Evaluation of IDM modules for tomato leaf curl disease management in Madhya Pradesh

Comparative suitability assessment field trials of four different IDM modules for the management of leaf curl disease of tomato were conducted at farmer’s field. The trial cites were located in Chorgarhi, Mankesher and Upani village of district Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh. The trials were conducted during2014-15, 2015-16 and2016-17 as On Farm Trial. Trend ofresultsobtained duringpastthreeyearsofexperimentation indicated that all the management modules tested were found superior over predominant farmer’s practice (M₁). The module M₄ having tolerant variety, seed treatment with insecticide, nursery raising in nylon net cages of 40 mesh, root dip of seedling with systemic insecticide Imidacloprid, astoenablenurserytobetransplanted, remain uninfestable by white flies and thrips at least up to 2 weeks after transplanting. Further, initial roughing at 3 weeks after transplanting and two subsequent sprays of systemic insecticide before flowering, at 25 and 45 DAT was found effective not only in reducing disease incidence but decreased total number of white fly per plant as well. This package of practice was also able to enhance tomato yield with favorable cost benefit ratio. Module 4 was followed by module T₃ where most of the measures mentioned in module 4 were followed except use of nylon net. Therefore, it is very much evident that the seed treatment with insecticide and seedling dip measures along with physical intervention to deploy nylon net to prevent assess of vectors to nurseries inside the cage, hold the great promise to have an almost leaf curl free crop.