Evaluation of IPM modules against whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci Genn. in bitter gourd (Memordica charantia L.) ecosystem

Abstract

Field evaluation of eight IPM modules was done against whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci Genn. in bitter gourd during, kharif and rabi -summer 2016-17 and 2017-18 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka. During kharif 2016-17, spraying diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 1g/L, triazophos 40 EC @1.5ml/l, buprofezin 25SC @0.25ml/l and imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.5ml/lat 15days intervals proved effective with 78.09% control followed by module consisting of application of Neem oil @ 1%, Pongam oil @ 1%, M. anisopliae (2x10°) @ 2ml/l and B. bassiana (2x10*) @ 2ml/l at weekly intervals and spraying Neem oil @ 1%, Pongam oil @ 1% at weekly intervals. Spraying subsequently diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 1g/l and triazophos 40 EC @1.5ml/l both 15 days intervals, respectively. Sowing maize (barrier crop) + removal of infested leaves and residues from the field + erection of solar light traps @ 5 traps/ha for mass trapping +tying yellow sticky trap to attract whiteflies) were able to suppress 15.5% whiteflies. When the same IPM modules were evaluated during rabi-summer 2017-18, same trend prevailed. The above mentioned first module alone had a control of 80.69% whiteflies followed by other modules. Application of M. anisopliae (2x10"), B. bassiana (2x10), Neem oil 1% and Pongam oil 1% at 10 days intervals gave the highest yield of 10.50 and followed by 10.39, 10.24 and 10.09 t/ha in other modules. The above module recorded higher benefit cost ratio (2.82).