Development of Ipm Module for the Management of Major Pests of Coleus

Coleus forskohlii is one of the potential medicinal crops. Tuberous roots are rich source of forskolin which is being used as a drug for hypertension, glaucoma, asthma and certain types of cancers. Fifteen species of insects have been reported on coleus from different parts of the world. Among them, thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), scale insects (Orthezia insignis) and leaf webber (Orphanostigma abruptalis) are the major pests of coleus. Few attempts were made on pest management in coleus, all are with chemical control which is against the concept of using medicinal plants for curing several ailments of human being. Hence, attempts were made to study the bio-intensive module for the management of major pests of coleus. Results revealed that [vermicompost 2 t/ha + karanj cake 250 Kg/ha + bio-fertilizers 2 Kg/ha + NPK (20:60:50 Kg/ha); Chrysoperla carnea 50,000 eggs/ha (3 releases on 15, 30 and 105 DAP); Trichogramma chilonis 6.25 cc/ha (2 releases on 45 and 60 DAP); Bacillus thuringiensis 750 g/ha (3 sprays on 50, 80 and 140 DAP); FORS 25 g/litre (5 sprays on 35, 55, 75, 95 and 115 DAP)] was effective in reducing the incidence of thrips, scale insects and leaf webber of coleus.