Ecofriendly management of thrips in capsicum under protected condition

Abstract

Over 35 species of insects and mites are reported as pests of capsicum among which thrips is the major pest infesting both under protected and open field conditions. The warm, humid conditions and abundant food under protected conditions provide an excellent, stable environment for pest development. Escalated public concern over extensive pesticide use and high pesticide residue levels in vegetables demanded the use of integrated pest management approaches in high pest attractive vegetable crops. In the backdrop of severity of thrips in capsicum in the recent past under protected conditions, studies were carried out during 2016 and 2017 on the management of capsicum thrips with promising insecticide molecules and solar light trap. The treatments with Solar light traps + insecticide molecules (Spinosad 45SC @ 0.1ml/l and Emamectin Benzoate 5%[email protected]/l) were found significantly superior over the treatments with insecticides alone. The combination of solar light traps and insecticides also resulted in significantly highest yield of capsicum, highest net returns and C:B ratio.