Development of integrated pest management technology for sesame (Sesamum indicum) and its evaluation in farmer participatory mode

Abstract

Field studies were conducted from 2001 to 2002 on development of integrated pest management (IPM) technology in rainfed sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur, and the same were later validated during 2003–04 in farmer’s participatory mode at 2 locations in Osiana tehsil of Jodhpur district in arid zone 1a of western Rajasthan. Adoption of IPM technology comprising intercropping of sesame with greengram and spray of 9 ppm azadirachtin at flowering stage reduced the per cent incidence of major pests such as Antigastra catatlaunalis and Macrophomina phaseolina from 24.79 and 16.88 in unprotected treatment to 13.04 and 6.25 in IPM module, respectively. IPM technology was found economically viable as indicated by incremental cost:benefit ratio ranging from 1:1.93 to 1:2.70 that was at par with non-IPM (1:1.53 to 1:2.71), besides, sesame seed was produced without any application of toxic synthetic pesticides.