FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF INSECT PESTS IN BOTTLE GOURD (LAGENARIA SICERARIA) AND THEIR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN MAJOR BOTTLE GOURD PRODUCING DISTRICTS OF BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT: Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a popular vegetable crop in Bangladesh including some other countries in Asia. The production of bottle gourd is hampered due to multiple insect pest infestation in recent years. For developing eco-friendly management, a survey among 150 farmers across three major districts of Bangladesh was performed to assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions on insect pest infestation of bottle gourd and management. Results showed that farmers identified a total of 7 insects in bottle gourd. Among them, all the farmers observed fruit fly and red pumpkin beetle as the major insect pest. Approximately 66.67% of farmers reported significant yield loss due to fruit fly infestation, while 22.0% experienced yield loss due to sap beetle infestation. Farmers employed chemical pesticides, pheromone trap, ash, soapy water and bio-pesticides for pest management in bottle gourd. Almost all the respondents (99.3%) applied pesticides more than 5 times in a single growing season. Most of the growers (62.7%) applied pesticides at 15-days interval. Majority farmers (68.67%) didn’t receive any training on sustainable management of the insect complex of bottle gourd plant. Authors findings provide insight into the importance of developing sustainable pest management approaches for bottle gourd production in Bangladesh. 

Keywords: Survey, insect complex of bottle gourd, eco-friendly & sustainable management