Microbes, Dodonaea viscosa and Chlorantraniliprole as Components of Helicoverpa armigera IPM Program: A Three Region Open-Field Study

Abstract

Field trials were conducted on the efficacy of different control options against Helicoverpa armigera on tomato. We evaluated and compared pest control, safety to natural enemies, crop yield and economics of application for various treatments including: a mycoinsecticide based on Beauveria bassiana; a baculovirus, H. armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV); a plant extract from Dodonaea viscosa; and the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (Coragen®). Trial sites were located in the Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi regions in Punjab, Pakistan. A combined application of HaNPV + chlorantraniliprole was better than all other treatments in reducing pest larval populations and fruit damage, and in increasing crop yield. The least effective control was with D. viscosa, but plots treated with this plant extract also had the greatest number of natural enemies. Treatment with HaNPV + chlorantraniliprole resulted in the fewest natural enemies at all observation times and in all field sites, but the highest yields, varying from 42.8–46.6 tons ha−1, and the highest cost:benefit ratios of 1:1.74–1:1.81. Our findings suggest that a combined application of a specific microbial agent and an insecticide effectively controls H. armigera, increases tomato yield, reduces costs and maximizes economic returns. This open-field study concludes that all of the microorganisms and other treatments have the potential to combat H. armigera populations and could be used in successful integrated pest management programs.