Assessment of management practices against major insect-pests in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

One field experiment was conducted for assessment of management practices against major insect pests in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) cultivar Palee (F1) during Kharif, 2021 at RRTTS, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. Nine treatments comprising of para pheromone traps with cue lure and food baits along with foliar spraying of the insecticides; emamectin benzoate 5SG@220 g ha-1, fipronil 5EC@1000 mL ha-1, cartap hydrochloride 50% SP @1000g ha-1, thiodicarb 75 WP @ 500 g ha-1, abamectin 1.8 SC @300 mL ha-1, spinosad 45 SC @200 mL ha-1, malathion 50% EC @ 1000 mL ha-1 (insecticidal check), neem oil 1500ppm@1500 mL ha-1 and untreated check. The results indicated that, ‘application of food bait @ 20 baits ha-1 (cucumber fruit pulp + 100 mL cow urine + 0.5l water) + para pheromone traps @ 25 ha-1 + foliar spray of spinosad 45 SC @ 200 mL ha-1 thrice at 30, 45 and 60 DAS was most effective with 96.36, 81.94, 85.21, 87.03, 79.89 and 60.65% reduction in population of epilachna beetle, red pumpkin beetle, flea beetle, white fly, jassid and green stink bug, respectively over control. The fruit damage by melon fruit fly was 83.17% lower over control and maximum fruit yield (5.5 t ha-1), monetary benefit (Rs.110973 ha-1) and ICBR (8.20) was recorded. This management practice may be considered for the management of major insect pests in bitter gourd cultivation.