Front line demonstration of IPM approaches against Yellow stem borer in Rice was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malyal, during Rabi season of three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 in Mahabubabad district, Telangana. Increased reliance on pesticides for pest control is found to be unsustainable and cost-ineffective. So, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been introduced as the best alternative for pest management in rice. for efficient use of Integrated Management Practices for minimizing the pest load and reducing the load of chemical pesticides in order to get higher yields and income, with the intention of popularizing integrated approaches against yellow stem borer in rice, front line demonstration was conducted. The Demonstration comprised of IPM approaches like application of carbofuran granules in nursery @ 160g/cent at 20DAS and in main field @ 25kg/ha at 15DAT, collection and destruction of egg masses, installation of pheromone traps with 5 mg lure @ 20 traps/ha against yellow stem borer for monitoring and need-based spraying of cartap hydrochloride @ 2gm/l against yellow stem borer of rice found effective against Farmers’ practice. In all the three years of study, adoption of IPM approaches resulted in lesser incidence i.e., 61.59%, 64.74% mean reduction of dead hearts and white ears than farmers’ practice. Mean higher yield of 7750 kg/ha was recorded in Demonstration as against 6750kg/h kg/ha in farmers’ practice showing 21.49% increase. This has resulted in higher mean net returns of Rs. 81,667/ha with Benefit Cost ratio (BCR) of 1.66 in Demonstration as against Rs. 71,867/ha in farmers’ practice with BCR of 1.42. Lower technology index showed the feasibility of the evolved technology at farmer’s fields. Extension gap (10.01) is higher compared to technology gap (2.43) and technology index (3.87), which shows that the technology may be popularized on large scale to lessen the extension gap.

Front line demonstration, grain yield, IPM, rice, stem borer

In rice Yellow stem borer management, IPM technology was found as imperative and the adoption of IPM technology increased the net income. There is need to adopt multipronged strategy that includes enhancing income of rice farmers through effective management of insect pest with the adoption of IPM technology. Hence, the technology might be promoted to moderate the extension gap. The economic, environmental, and social benefits derived from adoption of this important tool will have positive inference for the farmers.

A. Ramulamma, T. Chaitanya, N. Kishore Kumar, E. Rambabu and S. Malathi (2022). Front Line Demonstration of IPM Approaches Against Yellow Stem Borer in Rabi Rice in Telangana. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 414-418.