Organic Manures and Insect Pest Incidence

Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is commonly known as arhar or red gram or tur. It has been cultivated in India for more than 3000 years. It account low productivity in India. Among various constraints for low productivity, infestation and loss due to insect pests is also one of the main contributory factors. Nearly 300 species of insect pests are known to infest pigeon pea at various growth stages in India (Lal, 1998). Increasing consciousness about conservation of environment as well as health hazards associated with agrochemicals and consumer's preference to safe and hazard-free food are the major factors that lead to the growing interest in alternate forms of agriculture in the world. Organic agriculture is one among the broad spectrum of production methods that are supportive of the environment. Inducing resistance through organic means has become more viable. Hence we discussed the effect of some organic manures on pests and natural enemies on pigeon pea.