Eco-friendly pest management in berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and mustard (Brassica comprastis) mixed forage crop.

Various combinations of botanicals were evaluated for the management of pests/diseases in berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) mixed with mustard (Brassica comprastis(Linn.)Watt.) fodder production. The treatments were factorial combinations of seed/soil treatments and foliar spray treatments. Although maximum biotic stress management was achieved in synthetic pesticidal combinations in which a reduction of 68.76% in the root rot (Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium semitectum) intensity in berseem and a reduction of 68.22% aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt) population in mustard was recorded, however, among various combinations of botanicals seed coating with neem seed kernel powder (50 g/kg seed) + sprays of 3% neem seed kernel extract provided maximum protection (a reduction of 68.22% in the root rot intensity in berseem and a reduction of 70.28% aphid population in mustard) consequently an increase of 33.61% in green forage yield over the control. This combination of botanical provided maximum protection to the crop against plant parasitic nematode, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris (a reduction of 42%). This combination of botanical treatment also harboured maximum number of beneficial soil micro-arthropods, viz Folsomia sp., Brachystomella sp. (Collembolans) and Prostigmeta, Mesostigmeta and Cryptostigmeta (Mites) (approximately triple population of beneficial Collembolans and mites in comparison with untreated check). The economics of various botanicals experimented revealed maximum net returns in pre-sowing treatment with Trineem and post sowing treatment with 3% neem seed kernel extract, followed by pre-sowing treatment with Trineem and post-sowing treatment with 0.07% endosulfan + 0.09% mancozeb where a cost : benefit ratio of 2.03 and 2.01 was worked out. Seed coating with neem seed kernel powder + sprays of 3% neem seed kernel extract gave cost : benefit ratio of 1.94.