Evaluation and Validation of IPM Technology for Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum var. frutescens L.) through Farmers' Participatory Approach in Mid Garhwal Hills of Uttarakhand

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the formulated IPM programme for the management of insect-pests and diseases in bell pepper (capsicum) in Jadipani village of Chamba block in Tehri Garhwal district (Uttarakhand). Comparative study indicated that IPM module was found to be very effective in terms of suppression of pest infestation and increase in yield over non-IPM. It was found that there was 61.30, 66.98 and 42.99 per cent control of white-grub, cut worm, thrips, respectively, in IPM practiced field as compared to non-IPM practice, respectively. Similarly, 72.27, 53.71 and 49.22 per cent control of damping-off, Colletotrichum leaf spot and Phytophthora fruit rot, respectively, was recorded in IPM practiced field. Analysis of cost benefit ratio of IPM practice revealed that there was 38.64 per cent increase in yield with net return of Rs. 51.87 thousand per hectare and a B:C ratio of 1.46 over farmers' practice. Over all study revealed that the capsicum production under IPM situation proved comparatively more economically viable in terms of suppression of pest which resulted in increase of yield.