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Available agricultural technology does not serve its purpose till it reaches and adopted by it ultimate users, the farmers. The present study was conducted in Thottiyam block of Tiruchirappalli district to assess the adoption of precision technologies in bitter gourd cultivation. Totally 90 farmers were selected for the study. A schedule was developed to know the adoption level of the bitter gourd cultivation through precision technologies and the adoption level was ranked based on the adoption status. From this study high extent of adoption of precision technologies viz., field preparation specified farm implements, recommended spacing, neem cake application at last ploughing, stakes to reach the pandal, growth regulators (ethrel 100 ppm) spray to increase fruit setting and marketing through integrated approach (Rank I) in bitter gourd cultivation was observed among the Krishi Vigyan Kendra adopted farmers compared to the non adopted farmers. It was concluded that the technology transformation tools like farmers field school, demonstration, training and exposure visit are effective to enhance the production and productivity of crops.

Studies on the efficacy of different sequential application of microbials viz., nucleopolyhedrovirus of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (HaNPV @ 1.5x1012 OB/ha), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner (Delfin® 25 WG @1kg/ha), spinosad 45 SC (@ 75 g a.i./ha) and neem (neemazol 1.2 EC @ 1000ml/ha) against H. armigera in comparison with sequential application of synthetic insecticides and untreated control on tomato F1 hybrid Ruchi. Results of the field experiments showed that different sequential application of microbials and neemazol were equally effective as that of sequential application of synthetic chemical insecticides viz., endosulfan 35 EC (@ 350 g a.i./ha), quinolphos 25 EC (@ 250 g a.i./ha) and indoxacarb 14.5 SC (@ 75 g a.i./ha) in reducing H. armigera larval population and fruit damage. Relatively higher number of predatory mirids (Macrolophus spp.) and spiders (Argiope spp and Thomisus spp.) were recorded in microbials and neem applied plots compared to the chemical insecticides treated plot. Thus the microbials and neem could be the best alternatives for the sustainable management of H. armigera on tomato with less impact on the naturally occurring predatory arthropods.