Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Ahire MC, Dhadwad MB, Chougule SB and Landage NN

Abstract:
The present study was aimed at understanding the utilization pattern of chemical pesticides by Eggplant (Brinjal) growers in terms of combination of chemical pesticides used, nature of chemical pesticides used, farmer’s preference for the chemical pesticide use and extent of chemical pesticide use by the eggplant growers. The study was conducted in 10 villages in the Rahuri and Rahata tahasils in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state using ex-post facto research design. The data were collected from 120 respondent Eggplant growers using simple random sampling and personal structured interview method of data collection. It was observed that the majority (50.83%) respondents used two-three pesticides along with fungicides to control pests in eggplant crop, majority of (44.17%) the respondents used organo-phosphates and chlorpyriphos was the most preferred chemical pesticide to control the pests in eggplant crop. Moreover, it was also observed that an alarming number of the respondent eggplant growers (48.34%) used above recommended quantity of pesticides, and majority of respondents (61.67%) sprayed pesticides at inappropriate stages of crop.