Large scale field validation of integrated pest management strategies in maize (Zea mays) through farmers’ participatory approach

M K  KHOKHAR; ANOOP  KUMAR; DEEPAK  JAIN; SUBY S B; RICHA  VARSHNEY; RAKESH  KUMAR; L K  ACHARYA; AJANTA  BIRAH; MANOJ  CHOUDHARY; RASHID  PARVEZ

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i6.175307

Authors

M K KHOKHAR ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
ANOOP KUMAR ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
DEEPAK JAIN Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vidya Bhawan, Badgaon, Udaipur 313 011, Rajasthan, India
SUBY S B ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana 141 004, Punjab, India
RICHA VARSHNEY ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, P.B. No. 2491, H.A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bengaluru 560 024, Karnataka, India.
RAKESH KUMAR ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
L K ACHARYA ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
AJANTA BIRAH ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
MANOJ CHOUDHARY ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India
RASHID PARVEZ ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i6.175307

Keywords:

Economics, Fall armyworm, Maize IPM, Maydis leaf blight, Natural enemies, Yield

Abstract

The present study focused on the synthesis, validation and promotion of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation through farmer participation in Udaipur, Rajasthan, from 2022–24. The results showed significantly lower mean infestation of fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith)] in IPM (17%) compared to farmer practices (FP) (32.9%). Maydis leaf blight severity was 14.6% in IPM fields and 23.2% in FP, while banded leaf and sheath blight severity was 7.4% in IPM and 11.5% in FP demonstrating the effectiveness of IPM in reducing pest infestation over farmer practices. Natural enemy populations were recorded higher in IPM (7.2/50 plants) compared to FP (3.6/50 plants). The economic analysis demonstrated the superior profitability of the IPM approach, which recorded increase in grain yield (20%) and net return (51.73%) over FP. The benefit-cost ratio in IPM (2.39) further emphasised its profitability compared to FP (1.87). IPM field recorded >83 % reduction in chemical pesticides application over FP which facilitated the conservation of natural enemies resulting in 100% increase in predators population in IPM over FP. The study concludes that participatory IPM implementation in maize reduced pest infestation, enhanced yield and profitability with environmental sustainability.

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Author Biography

M K KHOKHAR, ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, Rajpur Khurd, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 068, India

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