Logo

Synopsis In agriculture economy of India, oilseeds stand next only to foodgrains in acreage, production and value. India witnessed 26.95% (21.42 million tonnes) increase in production during VIII plan over VII plan (16.92 million tonnes). This increase in production was contributed both by increase in area as also yield level. The country will be required to produce 27 million tonnes of oilseeds by the end of IX plan as against the present production level of 21.5 million tonnes. Thus the gap between demand and supply is 5.5 million tonnes. Moreover, there is a lot of scope for further enhancement in the productivity level of oilseed crops in India as the same is at low ebb compared to world average. Protection of oilseeds from the ravages of pests and diseases through adoption of IPM would not only increase productivity but quality of produce as well. This volume includes all important insect pests and diseases of major oilseeds including plantations dealing biology, damage symptoms, life cycle, host-parasite interaction, genetics, ecology, epidemiology and their management options. Major emphasis has been given on breeding for resistance, feasible cultural and agronomic practices, conservation and augmentation of biocontrol agents, botanicals, microbial pesticides, biochemicals including pheromones, besides environment friendly chemical pesticides. In case of groundnut, coconut, soybean and rapeseed-mustard, a system approach of pest/disease management has been elucidated.