Biointensive integrated pest management for Bt cotton

Abstract

Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BIPM) modules were compared with the Farmers' Package of Practices (FPP) for MECH 162 Bt and MECH 162 N Bt The incidence of leaf hopper, aphids, thrips and whiteflies in different modules was in the order of FPP-MECH 162 Bt > BIPM MECH 162 Bt > BIPM MECH 162 N Bt > FPP MECH 162 N Bt. Natural enemies population were more in BIPM modules than the FPP. Coccinellids such as Menochilus sexmaculatus, Coccinella transversalis and spiders Oxyopes spp., Argiope spp., Neoscona spp., Araenus spp. and Plexippus spp. were frequently observed in the field trials. Incidence of bollworm population was more in winter field trial than that in the summer field trials. Fruiting bodies damage, open boll, locule and inter locule damage in different modules was in the order of BIPM MECH 162 Bt > FPP MECH 162 Bt > BIPM MECH 162 N Bt > FPP MECH 162 N Bt. Seed cotton yield in BIPM MECH 162 Bt, BIPM MECH 162 N Bt, FPP MECH 162 Bt and FPP MECH 162 N Bt modules at Alandurai field trial were 1920, 1640, 1800 and 1440 kg ha-1. The results indicated the better performance of Bt cotton in both the modules. BIPM approach reduces the insecticide usage. The IPM approach is essential for gaining higher advantage from Bt cotton as it takes care of varying pest situation. © 2006 Academic Journals Inc.