Validation of IPM Technologies for the Castor Crop in Rainfed Agro-ecosystem

A large scale field trial was conducted for the validation of IPM technology package for the castor crop under rainfed agro-ecosystem. Among the three treatments tested, IPM package comprising use of wilt resistant var. Jyoti, seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2g/kg seed, hand picking and destruction of egg masses and early stage larvae of Spodoptera litura, Spilosoma obliqua and Euproctis fraterna, application of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE @ 5%), installation of “T” shaped wooden bird perches @ 15/ha, pheromone traps @ 5/ha for monitoring S.litura population, prophylactic spray of carbendazim (0.05%) against Botrytis disease proved effective in comparison to modified IPM package having all the same treatments as in case of IPM package except the use of endosulfan @ 0.07% in place of application of NSKE @ 5% and farmers’ practices which included mostly the application of chemical pesticides. The highest (5.32 q/ha) castor seed yield was obtained from IPM package followed by modified IPM package (5.30 q/ha) and these were significantly higher as compared to the yield of 4.15 q/ha obtained under farmers’ practices. Highest (1:2.40) C:B ratio was obtained from IPM package followed by modified IPM package (1: 2.27) and farmers’ practices (1:1.78).