Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted in groundnut for the management of aphids and thrips in an ecologically sustainable manner during 2014 - 15 at Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar. The results showed that seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 FS 5 ml/kg followed by spraying with thiamethoxam 25 WG at 0.4 ml/l at 30 DAS (or) seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 FS at 5 ml/kg of seed followed by spraying with neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% at 30 DAS + placing yellow sticky trap at 25/ha. at 30 DAS+ raising cow pea as trap crop+ release of green lace wing predator Chrysoperla zastrowi at 30 DAS @ 2500 / ha. (or) spraying neem oil 2% at weekly interval from 20 DAS five times (or) basal application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha.+ placing yellow sticky trap @ 25/ha. at 20 DAS+ release of green lace wing predator C. zastrowi @ 2500 /ha. at 20 DAS+ Azadirachtin 1% spray at 2 ml/l. at 30 DAS + raising cow pea as trap crop/ cumbu as intercrop recorded significantly lower population of thrips and aphids along with higher pod yield. These pest management approaches are useful in formulating ecologically sustainable biointensive IPM strategies.

Keywords: Groundnut, Sucking Pests, Sustainable Pest Management