Evaluation of management modules against hopper complex in mango : Management modules against hopper complex in mango

Abstract

Among the insect pests causing damage to mango the incidence of hoppers at flowering stage causes considerable yield loss. The farmers mainly rely on combination of chemical insecticides for its management which apart from causing unwarranted issues reduces the chance of export of choice varieties and value products. In this context management modules viz., spraying of Metarhizium anisopliae (1x109 cfu/ml) @ 2 ml/lt (M1), azadirachtin 1500ppm @ 4ml/lt (M2) and farmers practice of application imidacloprid @ 0.5 ml/lt (or other insecticides) (FP) were evaluated through on farm trails in farmers’ fields at Dharmapuri district. The mean hopper population / panicle after the first spray in the M. anisopliae (M1), zzadirachtin 1500 ppm (M2) and farmers practice (FP) recorded were 16.43, 17.90 and 8.95 respectively. The mean hopper population / panicle after second spray in the M. anisopliae (M1), azadirachtin 1500ppm (M2), farmers practice (FP) and control were 14.36, 16.12, 7.07 and 26.57, respectively. The percentage reduction over control in farmers practice was 73.39 per cent which was superior than the other management modules. The application of M. anisopliae (M1), azadirachtin 1500ppm (M2) recorded 45.95 and 39.33 per cent reduction of hopper population than the control. The application of M. anisopliae (M1) and azadirachtin 1500ppm (M2) recorded 53.8 q/ha and 52.6q/ha with a benefit cost ratio of 1.51 and 1.37, respectively. Based on benefit cost ratio the order of efficacy of different management modules were imidacloprid 17.8SL (FP) > M. anisopliae (M1) > azadirachtin 1500ppm (M2).