Development of IPM Modules against Insect Pests of Bell pepper Capsicum annuum L

Abstract

newline Study on development of IPM Modules against insect pests of Bell pepper, Capsicum annuum L. was carried out at Entomological farm, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Jammu, Chatha for two consecutive years 2021 and 2022. The studies revealed that more than twenty-one (21) insect pest species were associated with bell pepper crops in the Jammu region. newlineThe observations on population dynamics of adults and larval population of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura, broad mite and whitefly were recorded at weekly intervals starting from 10th standard week till 24th standard week for both years. The peak trap catches of adult borers were recorded during 18th SW and 20th SW for both adult borers during 2021 and 2022, respectively. While the peak activity of larval population of H. armigera and S. litura was recorded during 20th SW during both the years. The peak activity of broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and whitefly, Bemesia tabaci were also recorded during the 19th to 21th SW during both the years of experimentation. The perusal of data on avoidable losses of both the years (pooled) showed that mean yield of 20.33 tons/ha was obtained in protected plots whereas, mean yield of 14.24 tons/ha in unprotected plots which indicated a net avoidable loss of 29.97 per cent. The results for the comparative evaluation of different methods of raising seedlings for healthy growth and development in bell pepper showed that plug tray was found superior amongst all the four methods evaluated in respect to germination percentage, seedling vigor index and least whitefly infestation during both the years. newlineThe results for the performance of different IPM modules during 2021 and 2022 revealed that, the module II (Integrated pest management) was best and superior in obtaining least percent damage of fruits on number basis (17.98% and 16.85%), on weight basis (12.80% and 11.88%), least Helicoverpa infestation (3.06 and 2.69 mean number of Helicoverpa larva per plant) and recorded