Efforts made to evaluate the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module for shallots through Farmer's Participatory Approach in Tamil Nadu, India, are discussed. The shallot IPM module with special emphasis on nonchemical management components viz., healthy seed bulb selection, seed treatment with bio-pesticides, soil application of bio-pesticides and bio-inputs, growing of barrier crops, installation of sticky traps and pheromone traps, spray application of bio-pesticides, and need-based application of synthetic pesticides were evaluated in large fields in farmers' holdings in six locations during 2009 -2012. In all the locations, the IPM fields registered reduced incidence of the major insect pests and diseases viz. onion thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) (5.99 thrips/plant), leafminer (Liriomyza sp.) (12.59% damage), tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura F.) (3.51% damage), basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae W. C. Snyder and H. N. Hansen) (3.50% incidence) and purple blotch (Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cif.) (24.50 Percent Disease Index) compared with farmer's approach registering higher incidence of onion thrips (11.58 thrips/plant), leafminer (19.65% damage), tobacco cutworm (6.22% damage), basal rot (8.14% incidence), and purple blotch (51.6 Percent Disease Index). The IPM fields registered a higher mean bulb yield of 13.81 t/ha with a cost:benefit ratio of 1:3.05 compared with 10.69 t/ha with a cost:benefit ratio of 1:2.47 in farmer's approach. Field days, exhibitions, and demonstrations were organized in all the locations to popularize the shallot IPM module among the growers.

No abstract

No abstract

The black gram genotype VBG 55 is a hybrid derivative of CO 4 x PDU 102. It matures in 75-80 days. It has recorded an average seed yield of 782, 737 and 793 kg/ha during kharif, rabi and summer seasons respectively. It is an increased seed yield of 52.4, 67.8, 73.8 per cent over Vamban 1, 50.5, 34.3, 45.7 per cent over Vamban 2, 19.3, 20.2, 21.2 over Vamban 3, 78.6, 27.1, 43.8 over CO 5 and 31.4, 28.5, 28.7 over ADT 5 during kharif, rabi and summer seasons respectively. The culture VBG 55 has resistance to yellow mosaic virus disease and moderate resistance to powdery mildew. It is suited for sowing in all seasons and all districts of Tamil Nadu. Hence, the culture VBG 55 was accepted by State Variety Release Committee as VBN (Bg) 4 blackgram for commercial cultivation in Tamil Nadu during 2003.