Individual farmers used a range of different products to control pests.
The average number of different pesticides used was 2.9 (maximum 9) for cabbage, and 3.9 (maximum 11) for cauliflower.
The use of different products was especially prevalent in cauliflower production in West Bengal, and in cabbage production in Karnataka, where farmers used an average of five different products.
Insecticides dominated chemical pest management both in cabbage and cauliflower production.
The use of fungicides was more frequent in cauliflower than in cabbage production.
More than one third of farmers (36.6%) sprayed pesticides before the incidence of pest damage, as a preventive measure. In addition, most farmers (86.9%) sprayed pesticides when the pest damage was still low.
Only 8% of farmers reported considering the level of pest incidences or the level of attack before spraying.
The use of non-chemical control methods was very limited among the respondents.
Across all three states, 72% of respondents did not use any method other than pesticides to control insect pests.
Karnataka was the only state where a substantial number of farmers (76%) also used mechanical means (weeding) to control pests.
Overall, nine farmers used pheromone traps or other biological or natural methods to control pests.
Seven farmers grew inter-crops or trap crops along with the crucifers to keep the pest population in check.