Field Evaluation of an Insect Parasitic Nematode, Heterorhabditis indica (RCR) in Combination with other Entomopathogens and Botanicals against Chickpea Podborer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College, Raichur, Karnataka to evaluate the effect of Heterorhabditis indica (RCR), an insect parasitic nematode in combination with other entomopathogens and botanicals against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in chickpea ecosystem. Pooled data on per cent larval reduction after two sprays revealed that the highest reduction of 47.63 was achieved in chlorpyriphos/quinalphos (0.04/0.05%) treatment at seven days after spraying. However, sequential application of H. indica + Pa. pinnata (1.0 lakh IJs +2.5%) and H. indica + Pr. juliflora (1.0 lakh Us +10%) recorded maximum yield (1.96 and 1.83 kg/plot, respectively) with minimum pod damage (10.9 and 11.5 %, respectively). Thus there is a scope for integration of H. indica with botanicals viz. Pa. pinnata and Pr. juliflora for the effective management of chickpea pod borer.