Development of IPM Module for the Management of Major Insect Pests of Summer Mung Bean under Agro-climatic Conditions of Ranchi, India

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of insect pests poses a substantial threat to it’s production. To control pests like thrips and pod borers, farmers often resort to chemical insecticides. These are usually applied when flower dropping occurs due to thrips or when pod borers are visibly present at the pod maturing stage. Aims: The present study develops an IPM module for the management of major insect pests of summer mung bean under agro-climatic conditions of ranchi, India. Methodology: The study was conducted during the summer of 2024 at the BAU Research farm in Kanke, Ranchi, using the ‘IPM 02-3’variety. The IPM module included seed treatments, biological inoculation, pest monitoring via sticky and pheromone traps, neem-based insecticide application, and threshold-based chemical interventions. Farmer’s plot followed local conventional practices which includes fertilizer application i.e, NPKS 25:50:25:20 and hand weeding at 25 DAS and 45 DAS. Weekly pest monitoring involved 25 plants per plot, recording populations and pest damage. Yield and benefit-cost ratio were calculated using market input and output prices. Results were statistically analyzed for significance. Results: The t-statistic value (3.105) > t-tab value (2.086) indicates a highly statistically significant difference in thrips populations between the IPM and FP plots. Whitefly populations also showed a similar trend. The t-statistic value (3.342) > t-tab value (2.086) indicates a statistically significant difference in whitefly population between the IPM and FP plots. Also, the t-statistic value (2.233) > t-tab value (2.086) indicates a statistically significant difference in pod borer larval populations between the IPM and FP plots. Conclusion: Over all, the findings of this research conclude that the implemented IPM module provides effective pest control, leading to increased yield of mungbean and economic returns while minimizing insecticide use compared to conventional farmer practices.