Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Manjunatha KL

Abstract:
In this study selected farmers from three different Talukas were surveyed regarding the pesticide use pattern in South Karnataka. The mean survey data of chilli growers from the three districts of Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru and Chitradurga revealed that 40% of the farmers had education level of higher secondary. 81 per cent of the farmers preferred to grow improved chilli varieties. The plant protection information of chilli farmers indicated that the primary source of information (62%) for these farmers was through agrochemical shops. Most of the farmers (77%) sprayed insecticides in the morning hours and majority (83%) invariably mixed different pesticide chemicals at each application. 56 per cent of the farmers used same chemical repeatedly and applied chemicals at 15 days interval (51%). 48 per cent farmers applied more than three sprays and 21 per cent applied two sprays in a cropping season. Only 10 per cent farmers used Power sprayer for application, while 90 per cent of them used high volume sprayers like, knapsack and gator sprayers. 62 per cent of the farmers prepared the spray solution carefully and took up spray with at least the mask covering the face partially. About 40 per cent farmers resorted to harvest chilli fruits 7-10 days after pesticide application. A variety of pesticide formulations were used in chilli crop the frequently used Insecticides included (Acephate, Dimethoate, Fipronil, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Chlorfenapyr and diafenthiuron) highly and moderately hazardous pesticides.