Integrated pest management for greenhouse cucumber: A validation under north Indian plains

Cucumber is one of the most important greenhouse crops particularly because it can be grown round the year. As many as three crops under sub-tropical conditions do make it economically very profitable. However, due to such intensive production systems, the crop is often severely infested with several pests including the fungal and viral diseases etc. Integrated pest management (IPM) in greenhouses is one of the most important approaches for successful pest control. A study on comparative IPM including the contribution of individual IPM components was conducted for two seasons. Relative efficacy and economics of IPM vis-a-vis non-IPM modules were also worked out. In IPM module, the effects of biotic stresses particularly those caused by soil-borne pathogens, were found significantly reduced (19.81%) in comparison to non-IPM module (37.56%). Apart from reduced pest incidences, economic analysis indicated that the IPM approaches were much superior, as the mean cost-benefit ratio under IPM was 1:3.98 as compared to 1:3.18 with non-IPM treatment. Combination of azadirachtin and agrospra® (0.5%) was the most effective component of IPM for controlling the sucking pests of cucumber under protected cultivation. Of the potential biological control agents tested in this study, combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum, was most consistent and effective in controlling disease and nematode incidences. These results have the potential for field use under greenhouse conditions similar to north Indian sub-tropical plains.