Efficacy of Targeted Insecticides against Major Insect Pests of Phalsa (Grewia asiatica Linn.)

Abstract

A two-year field experiment were conducted in a phalsa orchard situated at the Regional Horticulture Research Station (RHRS), Raya, District-Samba to study the efficacy of selected insecticides against major insect pests of phalsa. During the experiment, seven treatments were taken which were replicated thrice in the randomized block design. The insecticides were sprayed at the peak or ETL level of the insect problem population, insect population was noted one day before the spraying and three and ten days after the spraying. Five randomly chosen plants were subjected to pre- and post-treatment of herbicides, and insect counts was taken. Further, ten days after a second spray, 100 randomly selected fruits from each plant were examined to figure out the amount of fruits that were injured overall. Fruit damage (%) was then computed. The yield was calculated by employing the net plot area method, and the yield and cost of plant protection were utilized to calculate the monetary benefits and incremental cost-benefit ratios of the treatments. The application of imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.3 ml/L was found to be the most effective method for suppressing aphids, with Fipronil 5 SC @ 1.0 ml/L, Chlorpyriphos 20 EC, and control following suit. Additionally, plots treated with imidacloprid had the highest cost-benefit ratio, followed by treatments with Fipronil and dichlorvos Therefore, in Jammu's subtropical climate, applying imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.3 ml/L is the most efficient way to control insect pests and increase phalsa yield.