Incidence and Management of Leafhopper, <i>empoasca kerri</i> (Pruthi) in Rabi Groundnut

Groundnut is an essential leguminous oilseed, faces significant biotic stress from the leafhopper Empoasca kerri (Pruthi), which is a major pest affecting yield and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of E. kerri on groundnut and assess some IPM modules during 2021-22 rabi season at the S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati. Two experiments were conducted: one to monitor leafhopper incidence and damage, and another to compare the efficacy of three IPM modules. Weekly monitoring revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.92) between leafhopper counts and foliar damage. The highest damage was observed at 85 days after sowing (DAS), with 91.46% leaf damage. Environmental factors like temperature (r = 0.76) and relative humidity (r = -0.68) significantly influenced incidence. Chemical control module exhibited the lowest foliar damage (41.26% at 105 DAS) and the highest benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 2.2, indicating its effectiveness; the ecofriendly module, though less effective (55.39% damage at 105 DAS), had a B:C ratio of 1.7, highlighting its lower environmental impact while still providing some control. This study underscores the importance of considering both economic and ecological factors in pest management, with ecofriendly strategies offering sustainable alternatives.