Management of Diamondback Moth and Black Rot Disease in Cauliflower through Front Line Demonstration at Farmer’s Field in Doddaballapur Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District, Karnataka, India

A study on management of diamondback moth and black rot was carried at Doddaballapur taluk by ICAR-KVK, Bengaluru Rural District, through front line demonstration during 2022-2023. The results indicated that infestation of diamondback moth and black rot was observed both under farmer’s practice plots and front line demonstration plots. The infestation of diamondback moth was 7.36 per cent and 29.32 per cent in FLD plots and farmer’s practice plots, respectively. Similarly, black rot incidence was 5.21 per cent and 16.62 per cent in demonstration plots and farmer’s practice plots, respectively. The weight of curd and total yield obtained under front line demonstration was maximum (2.234 kg/ plant and 26.29 t/ha) and was minimum under farmer’s practice plots (1.258 kg/plant and 22.98 t/ha). The analysis of cost economics revealed that higher gross and net returns and BC ratio were obtained in FLD plots (4,73,220 Rs/ha, 2,87,043.20 Rs/ha, and 2.54, respectively); low gross and net returns and BC ratio were obtained under farmer’s practice plots (4,13,640 Rs/ha, 2,45,588.20 Rs/ha, and 2.46, respectively). The analysis of gaps: total yield gap, technological gap, extension gaps and extent of adoption after FLD revealed that there is a need to bridge the gaps through proper training, method demonstration, dissemination of technological interventions, instilling coordination and removal of circumstantial differences between the farmers, researchers, and scientists, and convincing the farmers to adopt improved practices for management of diamondback moth and black rot in cauliflower.