Traditional knowledge of tribals in crop protection

64-70The paper reviews the scenario of pest control activities adopted by the tribals envisioned towards pursuing organic agriculture in the light of the hazards of chemical pesticides posing serious threat to human, animal and environmental life. Pioneering investigations were undertaken at Annamalai University to cover major tribal groups of Tamil Nadu like Malayali Gounder, Irulas, etc. living in hills, namely Kalrayan, Kolli, Nilgris, Pachamalai, Javvadu, Elagiri, Yercaud and Varusanadu brought in to focus plethora of pest control techniques and innovative pest control devices adopted by them. Certain potential practices were tested and potentiated by suitable amendments in the dosages and timings of application for attaining best plant protection. This culminated in evolution of packages of practices known as Tribal Pest Management Systems for important pests in rice and vegetables