Assessment of Integrated Pest Management Approaches in Chickpea against Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), through Frontline Demonstrations in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India

Chickpea pod borer infestation significantly limits yields in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for pod borer control through Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) involving 65 farmers during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 rabi seasons. The present study was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, on farmers' fields during the rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 as part of the FLD program. Each demonstration covered an area of 0.4 ha, with a neighbouring check plot of the same size maintained for comparison using farmers' practices. The demonstrations were conducted in various villages, including Tepri and Patsara, Kerma and Chhajan, Sakri Faridpur of Bandra, Kurhani, and Sakra blocks of Muzaffarpur district respectively. The Pusa 3043 variety was used in the demonstration plots, while local varieties were planted in the check plots. The IPM practices included the installation of pheromone traps (@10/ha with Helicoverpa armigera lures), the placement of bird perches (@15-20 per acre), spraying Azadirachtin 1500 ppm (2 ml/L), Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV) @250 LE/ha, Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG (@0.4 g/L), and Indoxacarb (@0.3 ml/L). Data on the number of larvae per meter row was recorded at 10 randomly selected locations in both demonstration and check plots. Data on production costs, inputs used, and monetary returns were collected to assess the economic feasibility of the recommended technology under experimental conditions. FLDs exhibited significantly lower larval counts (2.62 larvae/meter row) and pod damage (6.34%) compared to control plots. The average technology gap, extension gap, and technology index were 3.31 q/ha, 3.54 q/ha, and 27.48%, respectively. FLDs achieved the highest chickpea yield (11.19 q/ha), resulting in a net profit of Rs 67,472.50/ha and a B:C ratio of 2.69. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of IPM in enhancing chickpea production and profitability in the region.