Effect of Irrational Use of Pesticides on Insect Pests and Yield of Okra

Abstract

The present study on irrational use of pesticides on okra crop was carried in order to focus overall environment degradation and adverse effect on human health at Tando Jam, District Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan during spring season, 2009. The four different farms v/z Muhammad Ismail Sehto, Noor Muhammad Sehto (Village Hakim Ali Khatian), Abdul Karim Khaskheli (Village Moosa Khatian) and Ghulam Serwar Sheikh (Village Shaman Ali Sheikh) were kept under observation during whole period of study. The okra crop was sown on ridge and drill method under natural conditions. All the practices were followed by the farmers, from sowing to harvesting. The farmers were interviewed and data was collected on name and number of pesticides applied, mean population of insect pests and number of pesticides and yield of okra crop under irrational use of pesticides at each farm. Overall jassid, whitefly, spotted boll worm, mites, crickets and cutworm were observed infesting okra crop in all fields. Their population varied with one another and fluctuated differently through out the cropping season. The maximum pickings (25) and yield (1793.22 kg per hectare) was recorded at Noor Muhammad farm, followed by 23 pickings and 1721.59 kg yield per hectare at G. Sarwar farm, 20 pickings and 1625.26 kg yield per hectare at M. Ismail and 16 pickings and 1321.45 kg yield per hectare at A. Karim farm, respectively.

Keywords: Okra, Irrational, Pesticides, Insect pest and Yield