Indigenous pest management practices followed in major horticultural crops of Assam, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to explore the indigenous practices of pest and disease management used by the farmers in Assam, India to protect the major horticultural crops and to determine the scientific rationality of these identified practices as judged by the scientists. It was conducted in two districts of Assam viz., Nalbari and Jorhat involving 120 farmers and 25 scientists. Out of 23 indigenous practices identified in management of pests in horticultural crops, 7 are highly effective, 6 are moderately effective and 10 are less effective as perceived by the farmers. Out of the 4 mechanical practices, only 1 was rational, but not highly efficient. Likewise, of the 8 plant-origin practices, 5 were found rational and only 2 have high efficacy. No animal origin practice was found to be rational. More than 50% of scientists rated 7 practices as rational which may provide input for the future research. The effective and rational practices can be validated for other agro-climatic conditions in order to popularize them as component of IPM modules. The efficacy of such rational practices may also be judged against the recently invaded exotic pests in horticultural ecosystem.