Development of integrated rodent management module in pea crop

Survey of pea crop in different districts of Punjab revealed severe rodent damage to pea crop. Therefore, there is a need to develop integrated rodent pest management (IRPM) module in this crop. Three to six blocks (each of 0.4 ha) of pea crop were selected in Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur districts for determining critical timing of rodent damage and to develop integrated rodent management technology for effective rodent management in pea crop. Rodent population was assessed before and after the treatments as well as during different stages of crop by burrow count method. Results revealed that rodents start making their burrows on bunds at early stage of crop and start migrating inside fields at pod formation stage. At this stage, single symptomatic burrow baiting with 0.005% bromadiolone or with 2% zinc phosphide bait along with timely weed management and physical elimination of rodents during irrigation prevented rodent damage.