SURVEY AND DOCUMENTATION OF INSECT PESTS COMPLEX OF CUCURBIT VEGETABLES IN SELECTED AREA AND FARMER’S MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Abstract

The study was conducted in selected three upazila under Dhaka and Manikgonj districts to survey and document the distribution pattern of insect pests complex of cucurbits vegetable and farmer’s knowledge to perception of insecticide. As a part of the survey, purposely selected a total of 75 vegetable growers were interviewed and made a clear observation during the study period from 23 November 2015 to 14 March 2016. A well structured interview schedule was developed based on objectives of the study for collecting information. Red pumpkin beetle, Fruit fly, White fly, Aphid, Jute hairy caterpillar, Stink bug and Cut worm were insect pests in cucurbit vegetable. Based on the cucurbits crops that cultivated by the cucurbits vegetable growers were classified into six categories as, bottle gourd and bitter gourd; bottle gourd and sweet gourd; bitter gourd and sweet gourd; bottle gourd, bitter gourd and ash gourd; bottle gourd, sweet gourd and cucumber; and bottle gourd, sweet gourd and ash gourd . Among the respondent the highest (38.67%) cucurbits vegetable growers cultivated bottle gourd and bitter gourd; 16.00% cultivated bitter gourd and sweet gourd, 14.67% cultivated bottle gourd and sweet gourd and 13.33% cultivated bottle gourd, sweet gourd and ash gourd. Incase of management practices, The highest cucurbit vegetables plant infestation was recorded from PMP1 (11.86%) while the lowest plant infestation was observed from PMP6 (3.94%). The highest fruit infestation was recorded from PMP1 (15.02%), whereas the lowest fruit infestation was observed from PMP6 (5.38%) and the highest benefit cost ratio was recorded from PMP6 (2.31), while the lowest benefit cost ratio was observed from PMP1 (1.86). For using different combination of insecticide the highest plant infestation was recorded from IC1 (15.56%), while the lowest plant infestation was observed from IC7 (1.11%). The highest fruit infestation was recorded from IC1 (18.89%), while the lowest fruit infestation found from IC7 (4.44%). From this study it was observed that considering management practices and benefit cost ratio, vegetable growers prefer to using insecticides for controlling insect pest of cucurbits vegetable and the highest proportion 60% of the vegetable growers possessed moderate level knowledge, whereas 9.33% who have high level knowledge and 6.67% have no knowledge in using insecticide against those insect pest of cucurbit vegetables.