~ 1726 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2020; 8(2): 1726-1728 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 www.entomoljournal.com JEZS 2020; 8(2): 1726-1728 © 2020 JEZS Received: 13-01-2020 Accepted: 15-02-2020 M Rajashekhar Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India B Rajashekar Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India Dr. T Prabhakar Reddy Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India K Ramakrishna Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India Dr. Adi Shankar Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India Dr. Afifa Jahan Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India Dr. M Jagan Mohan Reddy Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India Corresponding Author: M Rajashekhar Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana, India IPM: An ecofriendly and low cost technology in arresting pest complex for higher net returns in cotton M Rajashekhar, B Rajashekar, Dr. T Prabhakar Reddy, K Ramakrishna, Dr. Adi Shankar, Dr. Afifa Jahan and Dr. M Jagan Mohan Reddy Abstract In Nagarkurnool district of Telangana state the Cotton crop is being cultivated in 1,19,059 ha mainly in shallow soils which are poor in fertility as well as water holding capacity. The farmers don’t have the sufficient knowledge on IPM components to manage the pests and diseases in Cotton crop. To overcome these problems KVK, Palem has been organized Front line demonstration on promotion of IPM in Bt cotton in 10 locations every year from three years i.e. 2016-2018. Regular monitoring, Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescence @ 30g/kg seed, stem application by using rolling stem applicators with monocrotophos 36% SL @ 1: 4 ratio at 30, 60 and 70 days intervals and installation of yellow sticky traps was reduced the incidence of sucking pest complex up to 25-30%, erecting of pheromone traps 8/acre at flowering to square formation stage, bird perches @ 20/acre, Spraying of Azadiractin 1500ppm @ 5ml/litre of water at boll formation stage and need based spraying of insecticides the incidence of Pink bollworm (PBW) is below the ETL up to first picking, but after the first picking due to prolonged dry spells, poor plant vigour the PBW flared up. The results revealed that in frontline demonstration on IPM in cotton an average three year yield recorded was 20.38 q/ha as compared to the farmer’s practice which was 18.33q/ha with the average benefit cost ratios are 1:1.33 and 1:1.09 and with net returns of 24,691/- compare to farmer practice 7682/- respectively. However, with the IPM module five pesticidal sprays were reduced by saving an amount of 6000/-. Keywords: Cotton, pink bollworm, sucking pests, front line demonstration, IPM Introduction In India cotton crop is being cultivated in an area of 119.78 lakh hectares with a production of 365 lakh bale of seed cotton which accounts to 35% of the world area [1] . India is one of the largest producers as wells as consumers of cotton in the world. In India approximately 62% of the cotton area is under rainfed ecosystem and only 38% of area is under irrigation. Cotton is one of the most important commercial & cash crops which accounts for around 25% of the total global fibre production. In the world, India is the only country which cultivates all the four species of cotton. In India, there are nine major cotton growing states, which are grouped into three diverse agro-ecological zones, i.e., Northern zone comprising of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Central zone includes the States like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and Southern zone comprising of States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka [2] (Ref: Ministry of textiles). After the introduction of Bt Cotton (BG-1, cry1Ac) in 2002 and (BG-II, cry1Ac and cry2Ab) in 2006 the incidence of bollworm complexes on the crop has drastically reduced. Both the production and productivity of cotton in India have improved significantly during the past few decades. The incidence of Pink Bollworm (PBW) & other sucking pests are increasing since the recent past. In India the productivity levels are very low compared to USA & China. In Nagarkurnool district of Telangana state the cotton crop is being cultivated in red soils occupying an area of 1,19,059 ha [3] . Regularly the crop is being encountered with the attack of sucking pests complex and Pink bollworm (PBW) which are causing huge losses to the crop. The farmers are investing on an average of Rs.10,000-12,000/acre on pesticides to control pests and diseases. This is causing huge damage to the natural resources as well as natural enemies which in turn bring down the net incomes levels of the farmers. One of the drawbacks in the successful cultivation of this crop is its susceptibility towards the attack of the pests. Amongst various reasons of low yield, losses caused due to insect pests are one of the