Indigenous approaches of orchid pest management in North East India

Orchids are high value flowers cultivated by the people in North East India. Pest infestation is one of the major factors limiting the quality production of these flowers. Twelve locations from five North eastern states, i.e., Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling and Kalimpong of West Bengal were taken in this study. Observations revealed that a large number of farmers in tribal hamlets growing orchids at their homes or in a small piece of land and still practice indigenous techniques for pest management on orchids as followed in other crops. Locally available wild plants and their by-products, insect's excreta and few animal produces were applied with age old knowledge of farmers for successful management of orchid pests. Such practices were easily prepared, comparatively cheaper and well accepted by the community of the region.