author(s)
Desai HR, Bhanderi GR, Patel RD, Sankat KB and Patel RK

abstract
High density planting demonstrations (50) on farmers’ fields at varied close spacings (75x10 and 90x10cm) with available compact genotypes (Suraj and G.Cot.16) were compared to normal spacing (120x45 cm) under Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) umbrella in rain fed regions of Bharuch district under the project “NFSM:HDPS-IRM” during the year 2015-16. Aphid, thrips and leafhopper were found above ETL whereas whitefly and mealybug were found below ETL. The mean larval population of pink bollworm was 4.41 and 3.14 larvae/20 green bolls in Suraj and G.Cot.16 spaced at closed spacings, respectively. The pink bollworm population was 2.51 and 2.68 larvae/20 green bolls in Bt-IRM and non IRM plots, respectively. Suraj variety spaced at 75x10 and 90x10 cm required 4.21 and 3.33 sprays and G.Cot.16 spaced at 75x10 and 90x10 cm required 4.40 and 3.60 sprays against sucking pests and 2.37 and 2.38 and 3.20 and 2.40 sprays against bollworms, respectively as against 5.00 and 5.60 sprays against sucking pests and 2.00 and 3.80 sprays against bollworms in Bt-IRM and Bt-Non IRM cotton, respectively. The net return was found higher in G.Cot.16 HDPS at both the spacing (Rs. 22966 and 17456/acre) than the Suraj HDPS (Rs. 16461 and 8235/acre). The net return for Bt-IRM farmers was higher (Rs.21527/acre) than non IRM-Bt farmers (Rs. 17919/acre). HDPS offer viable option to increase productivity especially under rain-fed region.