Validation of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) management strategies in Bt cotton

Abstract

A two year field study was conducted on validation of pink bollworm management strategies in Bt cotton in nearly fifty cotton farmer fields during 2018-19 and 2019-20 in selected villages of Kurnool district under IRM-Pink bollworm management project sponsored by Central institute for cotton Research, Nagpur. During the year 2018-19 Pink bollworm infestation ranged from 30-55% in IRM demo plots where as in farmers practice infestation ranged from 31-57%. Average Number of insecticidal sprays in IRM fields was 5.0 where as in farmers practice it was 7.3. IRM demo fields had registered a benefit-cost ratio of 1.9:1 where as in farmers practice it was 1.2:1. During the year 2019-20 IRM farmers had registered a green boll damage of 19-32% where as in farmers practice it was 20-70%, no of Average insecticidal sprays in IRM farmer fields were 4.66 where as in farmers practice it was 7.2, IRM farmer had registered a benefit-cost ratio of 2.17:1 where as in farmers practice it was 1.3:1.