Development of an organic integrated pest management (IPM) module against insect-pests of muskmelon in arid region of Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Four different muskmelon production systems (two conventional, one conventional IPM, and one organic IPM) were compared in field experiments at the Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner for two years. The organic IPM system proved to be the most effective and economical approach (B: C ratio 8.80:1) against melon aphid (Aphis gossypii), leaf eating caterpillar (Diaphania indica), hadda beetle (Epilachna vigintiopunctata) and cucurbit fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) in which the lowest incidence was recorded as compared to other modules. The organic IPM module-III comprised of growing resistant genotype (RM-50), spray of neem oil at 20 DAS, installation of pheromone trap (10/ hectare) at 42 DAS, spray of tumba fruit extract (TFE 5%) at 50 DAS and spray of spinosad 46 SC at 60 DAS was the most effective. The conventional I (farmer’s practices) was the second most effective system against major pests during both years. The benefit-cost ratio of the tested muskmelon production systems in the control of insect-pests decreased in the following order: module-III (B: C ratio 8.80:1)> module-I (B: C ratio 7.74:1)> module-IV (B: C ratio 6.60:1)> module-II (B: C ratio 3.56:1).