Efficacy of New Generation Insecticides in Comparison with Biopesticides and their Economics against Chickpea Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.)

Abstract

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important pulses. Helicoverpa armigera [Hubner] is the most devastating chickpea pest responsible for substantial yield loss. Chickpea crop is damaged by a large number of insect species, both under field conditions and in storage. Productivity losses by gram pod borer range from 20 to 90 per cent depending upon the severity of insect attack. Among the biotic factors responsible for low yield the, damage due to insect pests is the major limiting factor. Keeping the above facts in view, the present investigation was planned and carried out to establish a new generation molecules are comparatively safer to natural enemies, honeybees and other pollinators than old generation molecules play an important role in reducing the pest populations. Methods: Field experiment was during Rabi season 2018-19 on chickpea in district Rewa. The field was prepared following the recommended package of practices. The incidence of H. armigera was observed from five randomly selected plants from four middle rows of each plot at weekly interval. The spray of insecticides was applied as soon as the pest incidence is noted. The first spray was done at 50% flowering stage of the crop and repeated after 15 days. Pre-treatment observation on pest population was undertaken one day before the application of the first spray by direct counting of H. armigera larvae per five randomly pre-selected plants in each plot. Similar procedure was followed for post-treatment observation which was recorded at 1, 3, 7, 10, 15 days after both the spray operations. Result: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 09 treatments (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 37 g a.i./ha, Fipronil 5% SC @ 50 g a.i./ha, Indoxacarb 15.8 EC @ 79 g a.i./ha, Spinosad 45 SC @ 90 g a.i./ha, Novaluron 10 EC @ 100 g a.i./ha, Emamectine benzoate 5 SG @ 10 g a.i./ha, Neem oil 0.15% , Bt.K. 3.5% and untreated check. First spray of insecticides over all mean analysis indicated that all the insecticidal treatments were significantly effective in reducing the larval population of Helicoverpa armigera Hub. as compared to untreated plots (1.56 larvae/plant) in the first and second spray (0.92 larva/plant) of insecticides over all mean larval population Indoxacarb 15.8 EC @ 79 g a.i./ha was effective in controlling the incidence of gram pod borer due to the first spray (0.59 larva/plant) and also the second spray (0.27 larva/plant) among all treatments. Resulting in the seed yield 1989.00 kg/ha with the highest cost: benefit ratio of 1:12.3, which was followed by the treatment of Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 10 g a.i./ha with cost benefit ratio of 1:10.83.