An extensive survey was carried out to record the extent of insecticide usage to control major pests of bitter gourd in five major bitter gourd cultivating blocks of Coimbatore District in Tamil Nadu, India. The information was gathered from fifty progressive bitter gourd cultivating farmers from selected locations. The results revealed that farmers used thirty six different insecticides and seven insecticide mixtures to manage major pests such as fruit fly, gall fly and jassids in bitter gourd. Among insecticides the usage of imidacloprid 17.8 SL was more (94.40 %) in the bitter gourd ecosystem followed by spinetoram 11.7 SC (83.70 %), flonicamid 50WG (60.60 %), chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (49.40 %), spinosad 45 SC (56.00 %) and bifenthrin10 EC (45.90 %). Insecticide mixture spirotetramat 11.01 + imidacloprid 11.01 SC - 240 SC was used by more than 25 per cent of the bitter gourd growers in different locations. Survey results revealed that, almost 90.49 per cent of farmers were using power sprayer for spraying operation and 85.88 per cent farmers spray insecticides at morning hours and about 65.97 mean per cent farmers spray insecticides at an interval of 6 to 7 days. Hardly few farmers (21.5 %) executed spraying based on the status of pest infestation, 91.05 per cent farmers disposed the waste containers in the neglected areas and 92.16 per cent farmers not aware of label information. The primary source of information for insecticide spray was retail shop owners (62.22 %) and 73.45 per cent of farmers did not follow any safety precautions like wearing a safety apron, masks or gloves while taking spraying operation. The survey revealed that even though farmers had an adequate knowledge in mixing and measuring insecticides, they were a bit less aware of the recommended insecticides, dosage, safe harvest intervals, label claims, and personnel protection during spray operations.

Bitter gourd, Survey, Insecticides use pattern, Imidacloprid, Disposal

The majority of pesticides used by the farmers were not having label claim or unregistered to bitter gourd. Hence the fate of insecticides in the environment and harvested produce were unknown. There is huge scope to increase the farmer’s knowledge level in choosing recommended insecticides, their dosage, waiting period, label claim and personnel protection during spray operation. Our study necessitates the importance of training to the farmers by means of field demonstrations to enhance the proper information about pest management.

Naga Rani Ch., K.N. Ragumoorthi, M. Suganthy, B. Vinothkumar, T. Elaiyabharathi and T. Saraswathi (2023). Insecticides use Pattern in Bitter Gourd Momordica charantia L., at Western Region of Tamil Nadu. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 447-453.