Vol. 11, Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Kiran Ghatage, MH Tatagar, Nagesh, Ashoka KS and Dileepkumar A Masuthi

Abstract:
The gall midge mainly infests the flower buds and fruits that lead to the deformation of flower buds and fruits resulting in severe flower bud drop, decreasing in fruit size, seed number and finally reduction in yield. Therefore, it is an essential to develop pest management strategies by incorporating various IPM components such as use of organic amendments and botanicals. Among the various botanical management practices against chilli gall midge, in case of fruit damage T₁₁ (T₁+ spray with profenofos 50EC @ 2 ml/l) registered its superiority over rest of treatments. The next best treatment is T₅ (T₁+spray with ginger 10% @ 100 g/l) and T₈ (T₁+spray with NSKE 5% @ 100 g/l). However, T₁ (Application of neem cake @ 2.5 q/ha) shows less effectiveness and significantly superior over untreated control. Incorporation of neem cake @ 2.5 q/ha at the time of transplanting followed by spraying NSKE 5% @ 100 g/l coinciding with peak flower bud initiation has recorded highest dry chilli yield of 7.44 q per ha and highest B:C ratio of 2.83 can be recommended as effective and eco- friendly component for the management of chilli gall midge. The highest benefit cost ratio recorded in T₈ (T₁+Spray with NSKE 5% @ 50 g/l) with B:C ratio of 2.83 followed by T₁₁ (T₁+Spray with profenofos 50 EC @ 2 ml/l), T₆ (T₁+Spray with Tulsi leaf extract @ 10%), T₃ (T₁+Spray with parthenium leaf extract @ 10%), T₂ (T₁+Spray with Pongamia oil @ 2%), T₁ (Application of Neem cake at 2.5 q/acre), T₄ (T₁+Spray with Garlic extract @ 10%), T₅ (T₁+Spray with Ginger extract @ 10%), T₉ (T₁+Spray with Lemon grass oil @ 10%), T₇ (T₁+Spray with Neem oil @ 3%), T₁₀ (T₁+Spray with Citronella oil @ 10%) with benefit cost ratio of 2.69, 2.66, 2.55, 2.54, 2.53, 2.21, 2.10, 1.91, 1.89 and 1.84 respectively.