Integrated Pest Management of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) through On-Farm Trials and Frontline Demonstrations

Abstract

The Brinjal Shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) is one of the major insect pest of Brinjal. Significant yield losses due to shoot and fruit borers have been reported all over the world. The present study was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hamirpur, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, during the Zaid seasons from 2022 to 2025 at farmers’ fields of Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effectiveness of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices against Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB) through On-Farm Trials (OFTs) and Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs). The OFTs and FLDs on brinjal for Brinjal shoot and fruit borer management technology comprising deep summer ploughing, Removal and destruction of infested shoots/fruits, erection of bird perches, monitoring of insects with pheromone trap, weed management, water management, NSKE 5 per cent, need-based application of Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 200g/ha in 500 L of water. The results demonstrate that using IPM technology in brinjal not only reduces BSFB population but also gives higher yield and net returns. Results revealed that the average BSFB incidence under IPM practices was significantly lower (13.78%) compared to farmers’ practices (30.45%), with a 54.8% reduction in pest infestation over the check. Frontline demonstrations further recorded 275 q/ha yield under IPM plots compared to 218 q/ha under non-IPM plots, with a 26.14 per cent increase in yield. Economic analysis of IPM demonstration on Brinjal revealed that total net return from IPM practices and farmers' practices were Rs 276500.00 and Rs 215350.00 /ha, respectively. Therefore, large-scale dissemination of IPM technology through Frontline Demonstrations, farmer trainings and extension activities is essential for enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainable brinjal cultivation among farmers.