Sustainable Management of Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. in Brinjal by Using Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK)

Abstract

Aim: The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) practices and biorational treatments for sustainable pest management in brinjal under Manipur valley conditions. Study Design: The experiment was conducted at the Central Farm, Lamphelpat, CAU, Imphal, during Rabi 2024–25, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Methodology: Ten treatments comprising wood ash, cow urine, cow dung slurry, plant extracts (Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, Allium tuberosum), Green Neem (Azadirachta indica 0.1% EC), Spinosad, and an untreated control were evaluated on the brinjal variety Kashi  Sandesh. Results: Spinosad recorded the highest efficacy and yield (67.33 q/ha), followed by Green Neem. Among ITK-based treatments, cow urine + A. indica and Chinaberry (M. azedarach) leaf extract showed significant effectiveness. Economic analysis revealed the highest B:C ratio with Green Neem (9.29:1), followed by cow urine + A. indica (8.43:1) and Chinaberry leaf extract (8.39:1). Conclusion: The findings suggest that while Spinosad remains highly effective, ITK-based treatments such as cow urine + A. indica and Chinaberry leaf extract offer eco-friendly, low-cost alternatives that can be integrated into sustainable brinjal pest management strategies in the Manipur valley.