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Abstract

An effort has been made in the current investigation to document the effects of certain agronomic practices on the incidence of leaf eating insect pests in mulberry crop system in different seasons from 2013-14 to 2015-16 in farmers' gardens of Kolar District in the following combinations: a) tillage + closer spacing + organic inputs (T1), b) tillage + closer spacing + inorganic inputs (T2), c) tillage + closer spacing + organic inputs + inorganic inputs (T3), d) zero tillage + wider spacing + organic inputs (T4), e) zero tillage + wider spacing + inorganic inputs (T5), and f) zero tillage + wider spacing + organic inputs + inorganic inputs (T6). A great deal of fluctuation was noticed in the incidence of Diaphaniapulverulentalis, Spilosomaobliqua, and Neorthacrisacuticepsnilgirensis as influenced by the agronomic practices. Regardless of season and year of pest monitoring, the incidence was highest in T4 and least in T6. On the whole, the incidence was found decreased in the following order: T4, T2, T1, T5, T3, and T6 (i.e. T4>T2>T1>T5>T3>T6). A discussion has been elaborated on the results of the current study taking cognizance of the findings available elsewhere in other crop systems in general and mulberry in particular.The results assume considerable importance at such a time when there is dearth of information on the agronomic practice-based incidence of the key leaf eating insect pests in mulberry crop system so as enable us to select a suitable pest control measure(s) to keep the pest incidence in check.