Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Managing Insect-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Rice Fallow Blackgram: Evidence from Farmers' Fields in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

To create awareness among the farming community, this study was conducted in ten locations of the farmers fields during 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 by the KVK in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh and explored the impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on Management of Sucking Pest in Rice fallow Blackgram with the emphasis on use of resistant varieties, seed treatment and other cultural practices. By adoption of IPM practices in all the three years, the incidence of the leaf crinkle, leaf curl and Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) was reduced in comparision with farmers practice; while bud necrosis was not notice in all these years. This has resulted in reduction in the average cost of cultivation by Rs. 2690.00 per hectare and the average net income was improved by Rs. 13596 per hectare compared to the farmers practice. The average yield levels (1659 kg/ha) improved by 10.91 per cent compared to farmers practice (1496 kg/ha) giving a clear indication that adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices helped in improving the net income levels to the resource poor farmers.