Influence of IPM and non-IPM practices on pest complex and pesticide residues of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

The results revealed that the mean population of jassids (Amrasca devastans) was 2.82 number / okra leaf in IPM plot, whereas in non-IPM plot it was 5.43 number / leaf. Similarly, the maximum mean population of whitefly (Bemesia tabaci) was recorded in okra grown in control plot with 4.54 number / leaf followed by non-IPM plot with 1.17 number / leaf and 0.42 number / okra leaf in IPM plot. The average population of two spotted mites / sq.cm leaf area was 0.54 number in IPM plot, whereas it was 1.03 and 4.04 number / sq.cm leaf area in non-IPM and control plots of okra, respectively. The mean number of Earias vittella larvae was 0.43 and 0.61 numbers / fruit in IPM and non-IPM plots respectively. Similarly, the bud infestation was lowest in IPM plot followed by non IPM and control plots of okra. The lowest shoot infestation also showed the same trend minimum % fruit damage in IPM (7.5%) followed by non-IPM plot (15.0%) and control (32.8%). The residues of imidachloprid (6.7 ppm), thiomethoxam (3.8 ppm), flubendiamide (7.9 ppm), chlorantraniliprole (6.5 ppm) were identified in the harvested okra fruits from non-IPM plot which are far above the MRL, however, no pesticides were detected in the okra fruits from IPM plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]