Experimental reduction of rodent damage to vegetable crops in Indian villages

Abstract

The relationship between rodent control, decline in damage and resultant increase in production in twelve vegetable crops was studied in fields (2000 ha) in eight villages near Jodhpur. The rodent damage to various vegetable crops ranged from 4.1–19.9%, the average being 8.7%. A reduction of 92.5% of the rodent population corresponded with a 91.9% reduction in damage. On average, this increased the production of vegetable crops to 11.7 quintals (q) ha⁻¹ (7% ha⁻¹). The cost benefit ratio was 1:900. The paper also discusses the migration of rodents to crop fields from surrounding non-agricultural land and vice versa and replacement of rodent species after control operations.