Study on insect pest diversity and their risk management options in potato among extension personnels of Bangladesh

The study was conducted in the 20 upazila of 10 selected major potato growing districts of Bangladesh during the period from December 2014 to February 2015 to find out the present status and diversity of insect pests of potato, their risks and management options. The data were collected through interview of 60 field level officers of DAE including one UAO, one AEO and one SAAO. The data were analyzed using computer program SPSS 20 version. BARI Alu-7 (Diamant) variety and BARI Alu-8 (Cardinal) variety of potato were the most popular potato varieties used by the farmers for cultivation. The major sources of potato seeds used by the farmers for cultivation were the own produced seeds, BADC seeds, seed traders/dealers and neighboring farmers. Major problems faced during potato cultivation were diseases, insect pest attack and weed attack. The BARI Alu-7 (Diamant) and BARI Alu-8 were most susceptible potato varieties to insect pests and diseases, whereas the Lal-pakhri was the least susceptible to pests. Mostly (98.50%) the potato was infested in the field by cutworm, aphid, potato tuber worm, leaf miner, mole cricket, field cricket and leaf hoppers. Among these insect pests, cutworm and aphid were identified as major pests and caused damage with high and moderate infestation intensity, respectively. Others were identified as minor insect pests of potato caused damage with low infestation intensity. Mostly (73.50%) the potato tuber worm attacked potato tubers in storage and designated as a major insect pest of potato in storage and damaged potato with high infestation intensity. Currently cutworm and aphid were more damaging insect pest of potato in field condition than previous infestation, and potato tuber worm was more damaging insect pest in storage. Other important control options were application of flood irrigation and hand picking particularly for controlling cutworm, use of granular insecticides in furrows during planting of seed tubers. Most (95%) of the farmers received assistance and advices for controlling insect pests of potato from pesticide dealers. Other sources of services were DAE officials, neighboring farmers and NGO officials.