Ecofriendly integrated pest management in pigeonpea

The pest population was less in IPM fields than non-IPM fields. The population of pod borer larvae was 0.39/plant in IPM and 0.64/plant in non-IPM. Plume moth larvae were 0.16 and 0.25/plant in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The webbing by spotted pod borer was 0.08 and 0.19/plant in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The pod damage due to pod borer complex was less in IPM (7.71 per cent) than non-IPM (21.52 per cent) fields. The immature stages (maggot and pupa) of pod fly were 2.14 and 7.99/50 pods in IPM and non-IPM fields, respectively. The population of natural enemies of insects like coccinellids (0.21 in IPM and 0.09/plant in non-IPM), chrysopids (0.03 in IPM and 0.01/plant in non-IPM) and spider (0.36 in IPM and 0.24/plant in non-IPM) was more in IPM fields. The parasitization of pod borer larvae was 3.63 per cent in IPM and 1.78 per cent in non-IPM. The impact of the IPM practices resulted in increased yield (10.18 q/ha in IPM and 8.41 q/ha in non-IPM) and net profit (Rs. 7710/ha).