Evaluation of various IPM modules against foliage feeding insect-pests of Rice

Abstract

Five Integrated Pest Management (IPM) modules were tested along with untreated control against the foliage feeding insects in rice. Over two years, the IPM module having nursery treatment with fipronil 0.3G @ 20 kg/ha + chlorantraniliprole 0.4G @ 10 kg/ha at 40 days after transplanting + buprofezin 25% SC @ 825 ml/ha foliar spray at 65 days after transplanting proved to be most effective in controlling leaf folder and case worm having highest benefit cost ratio (1.89). The treatment module constituting nursery treatment with fipronil 0.3G @ 20 kg/ha + Trichogramma japonicum + Beauveria bassiana @ 2 lt/ha foliar spray at 30 and 50 days after transplanting + neem seed kernel extract (5%) spray at 65 days after transplanting’ performed second best with respect to leaf folder and caseworm management; however showed superiority in suppressing hispa and whorl maggot, achieved benefit cost ratio (1.71). In the present context of increasing trend of insecticide resistance by the pests and environmental hazards, this experiment had the interesting finding that biopesticides, botanicals and green level pesticides can be a safe alternative which can compensate the efficacy of conventional pesticides in the management of rice insect pests.