Effect of pongamia cake, neem cake and vermicompost on sucking insect pests of chilli

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of neem cake, vermicompost and pongamia cake on the activity of chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) and mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) under field condition at Main Agricultural Research station University of Agricultural sciences, Raichur during 2014 -15. The results indicated that crop amended at planting with neem cake (250 kg/ha) and vermicompost (1t/ha) were effective in keeping the sucking pests density in check, being comparable to recommended insecticides. At 15th DAT blanket application with fipronil and dicofol and at 30th DAT second spray with fenpyroximate and spinosad. Similar trend of efficacy of organics was seen in managing leaf curl manifestations too. Significantly highest red chilli yield was registered in the crop receiving neem cake at 250 kg/ha (10.42 q/ha). This was followed by vermicompost at 1t/ha (10.12 q/ha). Untreated crop yielded significantly lowest at 6.73 q/ha red chillies. The research highlights the utility of organics in managing sucking pests of byadagi chilli that has potential export value.