Impact of Integrated Management Practices of Fruit Fly in Bitter gourd

Bitter gourd is cultivated in 125 hectares out of 310 ha occupied by gourds in. Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu, India. Fruit fly is the most destructive insect pests attacking bittergourd.The present study was conducted to demonstrate the Integrated Pest Management practices in bitter gourd against major insect pests in 10 farmers’ fields located in four blocks viz., Tiruvalangadu, R.K.Pet, Thiruthani, Ekadu of Tiruvallur district during 2020-2021. Technological gap between recommended practices and actual farmers’ practice was assessed.The front-line demonstration included IPM practices (field sanitation, Installation of fruit fly traps and spraying of neem oil 3%) and Non –IPM practices. Results indicated average fruit yield of 92.50 q/ha, an increase of 10.77% increase in yield over farmers practice as well as a net income of Rs.1,06,450/-. Reduction in cost of cultivation due to less investment for plant protection aspects has been recorded.