Sustainable control of cotton bollworm in small-scale cotton-production systems

Insecticides currently account for around 45% of cotton-growing costs for over 30 million small-scale producers in Asia at a cost of US$811 million each year. In order to reduce the financial and environmental impact of cotton insecticide use, this project built on recent work in India to advance farmers’ ability to use insecticides appropriately for control of cotton bollworm in India, Pakistan and China. The project has provided detailed, practical recommendations to empower farmers to adopt insect resistance management, and has developed easy-to-use insecticide quality and resistance detection kits. Direct impact from the village programme in 2004/05 is a net benefit to participating farmers of US$11 million. This project provides UK input into a much larger (US$4 million) CFC projec

Sustainable insect pest management in Indian cotton

Throughout the cotton-growing areas of India, intensified production, increased use of irrigation and the excessive use of pesticides have led to the major cotton pests evolving resistance to the chemicals used against them: for example, resistance to common pyrethroids used in bollworm control can reach close to 100% by the end of the cotton season in heavily sprayed areas. This resistance encourages the application of more and stronger insecticides, leading to a classic 'pesticide treadmill'. Two related projects, focusing on southern India (R6734) and the irrigated cotton-growing systems of the Punjab (R6760*) have developed and tested integrated pest management (lPM) packages of methods that reduce the need for insecticides. Using the recommended IPM methods, farmers encourage the build-up of the bollworm's natural predators, and target limited sprays of recommended insecticides on the pest only when absolutely necessary. The results have been dramatic. Reduced costs of production and increased yields of cotton resulted in massively increased incomes to farmers. In the last (1998/99) season, farmers using the IPM package in southern India achieved average profits of £176 per ha, compared with £38 per ha for other farmers. Farmers' strong enthusiasm generated by these results attracted widespread coverage by local news media, and this in turn has fuelled strong demands for expansion into other districts. Use of the recommended IPM package has already reduced hazards to the environment and human health, and improved the profitability and reliability of cotton harvests for hundreds of poor rural families dependent on the cotton crop. The future widespread adoption of these methods now seems assured, and will have a major and sustainable impact on improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, on human welfare and on the environment

Developing and implementing insecticide resistance management practices in cotton ICM programmes in India

Pyrethroid, organophosphate, carbamate and cyclodiene resistance levels for the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) have been monitored routinely at sites throughout India since 1993 using discriminating dose assays. Resistance by H. armigera and other pests to commonly used insecticides is a severe constraint to cotton production in India. An integrated crop management strategy was developed aimed at maximising profit while minimising insecticide use and the impact of insecticide resistance. Appropriate varieties and agronomy, plus seed treatment where necessary, allow the first foliar insecticides to be delayed until at least 70 days from planting. Insecticides for fruit and leaf feeders are then rotated, taking account of seasonal shifts in their efficacy and the pest spectrum faced; with endosulfan first, followed by particular organophosphates, leaving one to two pyrethroid sprays until the late season when pink bollworm is also present. This system (customised for the different regions of India) was demonstrated in village participatory trials, reaching 24 villages across four states in 1998-9. In all areas the quantity of insecticide a.i. used was reduced by >29%; yields increased substantially and net profit rose $40 to$226/ha when compared with farmers not in the schemes

Insecticide Resistance In Helicoverpa Armigera In India: Recent Developments

Seasonal changes in insecticide resistance in the cotton bollworm. Helimverpa arrnigera (Hilbner) were monitored at six widely spaced locations in lndia during 1993194 usina a discrimlnatina dose bioassay technique. lnsecticide I synergist combinations- were used to elucidate resisknce mechanisms. The status- of resistance to pyrethroids. endosulfan and omanophosphates is described and correlated with iocal farmer insecticide use slrategies.in the different regions and the role of migration in the spread of resistance beyond high input farming areas

Sustainable Management of Papaya Mealybug in Small Scale Papaya Farming System Associated with Papain Industry in Tamil Nadu, India

KEYWORDS: Papaya mealybug, Papaya

Deterrence of Shoot and Capsule Borer Conogethes Punctiferalis Guenee and Thrips Sciothrips Cardamomi Ramk. of Small Cardamom by Certain Neem Formulations

Keywords: Thrips, Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee, Cardamom, Shoot and capsule borer, Sciothrips cardamomi Ramk

Occurrence of Ambrosia Beetles, Xylosandrus Compactus (Eichh) and Xylosandrus Crassiusculus (Motschulsky) on Avocado in Tamil Nadu India: Pest Risk Assessment

KEYWORDS: Invasive pests, Avocadoe