Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Module in Groundnut Crop at Farmers’ Fields in Warangal District of Telangana State

Background: Groundnut is an important legume oilseed crop grown in India. However, a significant gap between potential and actual yield was observed in groundnut production due to destructive pests and diseases, inadequate rainfall and moisture, intensive labour cost and fluctuations in market price. Insect pests act as the major hindrances in attaining higher yield and productivity of groundnut in Warangal district of Telangana. Methods: To warrant insect pests attack in groundnut, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) modules were tested in 10 locations of Warangal district during 2022-23 and 2023-24 as a large scale front line demonstration (FLD) in farmers’ fields. Population estimation in IPM and control plot was done as per the standard methodology to assess the impact. Result: IPM demonstrations resulted 58.0, 70.8, 72.4 and 51.5% reduction in thrips, hoppers, leaf minor and tobacco caterpillar, respectively throughout the crop period with an average yield increment of 43.7% (3073.4 kg ha-1) and avoidable yield loss of 935.1 kg ha-1. The three way correlation of yield with net income and B: C ratio showed a positive correlation (r= 0.9948 and 0.9915), which indicated that the higher returns in the demonstration was due to the impact of IPM components and yield increment. The technology gap in the demonstration ranged from 3.7 to 4.8 q ha 1, technological index 10.6 to 13.8 per cent and the extension gap from 9.7 to 9.1 during 2023-24 revealed that scientists attempts to educate farmers on importance of IPM practices was effective in increasing groundnut yield by reducing cost of cultivation.