Reduction In Larval Population Research Articles

Gene Cloning, Heterologous Expression, and In Silico Analysis of Chitinase B from Serratia marcescens for Biocontrol of Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae Infesting Maize Crops.

Spodoptera frugiperda, the fall armyworm (FAW), is a highly invasive polyphagous insect pest that is considered a source of severe economic losses to agricultural production. Currently, the majority of chemical insecticides pose tremendous threats to humans and animals besides insect resistance. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new pest management strategies with more specificity, efficiency, and sustainability. Chitin-degrading enzymes, including chitinases, are promising agents which may contribute to FAW control. Chitinase-producing microorganisms are reported normally in bacteria and fungi. In the present study, Serratia marcescens was successfully isolated and identified from the larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda. The bacterial strain NRC408 displayed the highest chitinase enzyme activity of 250 units per milligram of protein. Subsequently, the chitinase gene was cloned and heterologously expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant chitinase B was overproduced to 2.5-fold, driven by the T7 expression system. Recombinant chitinase B was evaluated for its efficacy as an insecticidal bioagent against S. frugiperda larvae, which induced significant alteration in subsequent developmental stages and conspicuous malformations. Additionally, our study highlights that in silico analyses of the anticipated protein encoded by the chitinase gene (ChiB) offered improved predictions for enzyme binding and catalytic activity. The effectiveness of (ChiB) against S. frugiperda was evaluated in laboratory and controlled field conditions. The results indicated significant mortality, disturbed development, different induced malformations, and a reduction in larval populations. Thus, the current study consequently recommends chitinase B for the first time to control FAW.

Long‐term effects of management intensity and bioclimatic variables on leatherjacket (Tipula paludosa Meigen) populations at farm scale

AbstractLeatherjackets (Tipula spp.) are soil‐dwelling pests associated with agriculture. Land management decisions made at farm scale can have subsequent effects on their populations. Between 1980 and 2020, surveys were conducted across Scotland to collect field histories and larval population data from grassland farms. To assess the impact of management and bioclimatic factors on leatherjacket occurrence over time, this study investigated data from fields continuously sampled between 2009 and 2018. We utilized a Generalized Linear Mixed‐Effect Model on a dataset of 61 fields on 19 farms. Results indicated three significant factors affecting larval populations; field size, grazing type and application of insecticides or herbicides (referred to collectively as pesticides). Larval populations were significantly lower in fields that were larger in size and under sheep grazing, compared to no grazing. Pesticide application also caused a significant reduction in larval populations. Management variables were amalgamated to create a Management Intensity Index, revealing significantly increased larval populations under low‐management systems. These results, coupled with significant effects of bioclimatic variables, pinpoint predictive signals for high infestations and potential routes for control strategies.

Comparative Efficiency of Some Novel Insecticides against Fall Army Worm, Spodoptera frugiperda in Maize

The present study was carried out at the instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Farm Gate, Kalna Road, Burdwan Sadar, West Bengal, India for successive 2 terms of crop during kharif (June to September, 2020) and rabi (December to March, 2020–21). The bio-efficacy of some chemicals (Cyantraniliprole, Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin benzoate, Flubendiamide, Spinosad, Emamectin benzoate, Broflanilide, Chlorfenapyr, Spinetoram and Teflubenzuron) and bio-pesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Azadirachtin and Steinernema sp.) were evaluated against Fall Army Worm (FAW) in corn at the field condition. The major parameters considered for comparing the treatments were based on percent reduction in larval population, leaf damage (%) followed by headonic scoring (0–9 scale) and attack intensity (%). All the chemical insecticides except teflubenzuron resulted more or less higher percent population reduction of FAW larva (75.39–89.17%), lower leaf damage (20.13–31.21%) along with low damage score (1.45–1.95) and lower attack intensity (3.03–6.09%). All these effects were at moderate range in case of bio-pesticides. Based on the present findings, better selection of suitable insecticides is possible to manage FAW in corn.

Evaluate the Efficacy of Different Biopesticides with Imidacloprid against Maize Spotted Stem Borer (Chilo partellus swinhoe) on maize under field conditions

An experiment of Maize stem borer Chilo partellus using different Bio-pesticides in field condition was carried out during Kharif 2022-2023 at central Research field SHUATS Prayagraj, UP., India. The management of Maize stem borer was done using 8 different treatments and benefit cost ratios of all the treatments were calculated. Total two sprays were applied to protect the crop from Chilo partellus using randomized block design with three replications. The observations of Chilo partellus 24 hours before (Pre- treatment) and 3rd, 7th and 14th day after spraying (post-treatment) were recorded for computing the percent of larval population reduction. The data were subjected to statistical analysis after appropriate transformation for interpretation. The treatment with recommended insecticide cost benefit ratio and yield is in Imidacloprid 200 SL (T7) (1:5.01) (40.49q/ha) followed by Beauveria bassiana (2 CFU×108 ml) (T1) (1:4.53) (38.45q/ha), Bacillus thuringiensis (108 CFU/ml) (T4) (1:4.41) (37.7q/ha), Metarhizium anisopliae (T2) (1:4.20) (36.79q/ha), NPV (T3) (1:4.03) (35.98q/ha), NSKE @ 5% (T5) (1:3.97) (34.6q/ha), Azadirachtin 0.03% (T6) (1:3.85) (33.57q/ha) Lest monetary return and yieldwas obtained with control (T0) (1:3.52) (28.4q/ha).

Efficacy of Selected Chemicals and Biopesticides against Chickpea Gram Pod Borer

The field experiment was carried out in the Rabi season of 2022-2023 at Central Research Farm (CRF), Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj. The field was replicated with three randomised block design (RBD) of eight treatments including control (water spray) viz., Indoxacarb 14.5% SC, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, Emamectin benzoate 5% SG, Emamectin benzoate 5% SG+Indoxacarb14.5% SC, Beauveria bassiana 1.5% WP, NSKE 5%, Neem oil 5% and one control plot (water spray). The maximum reduction of larval population was recorded in T3 Emamectin benzoate 5% SG (78.9%) followed by T2 Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (76.2%), T4 Emamectin benzoate 5% SG + Indoxacarb 14.5% SC (68.2%), T1 Indoxacarb 14.5% SC (65.8%), T6 NSKE 5% (59.3%), T5 Beauveria bassiana 1×108CFU\G (54.7%) was found next effective treatments. Among all the treatments T7 Neem oil 5% (49.4%) was found least effective but comparatively superior over untreated plot (0%).

The Compatibility of Natural Enemies and Botanical for Management of Earias vittella (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Bhendi Ecosystem

Aims: The current study was conducted to know the compatibility of natural enemies and botanical for management bhendi fruit borers in the bhendi field.
 Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).
 Place and Duration of Study: Experiment conducted during 2019-20 and 2020-21 at ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 
 Methodology: Two field tests were conducted at the entomological research farm, ICAR-NBAIR Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, to know the compatibility of the natural enemies (Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae) , Chelonus blackburni (Cameron) and Bracon brevicornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and botanical (Neem oil 0.5%) for management of E. vittella and H. armigera on bhendi. Arka Nikita (IIHR) bhendi variety was used for the two trials with different treatments in four replication. The release rates of parasitoids were decided based on the previous parasitic potential studies.
 Results: In the first trial, among the treatments, a combination of T. chilonis + C. blackburni + B. brevicornis and C. blackburni + B. brevicornis recorded the lowest pooled mean larval population reduction over pre-treatment count of E. vittella and were on par with each other, recording 40.19% and 37.27%, respectively followed by T. chilonis + B. brevicornis (31.28%), C. blackburni (30.90%), B. brevicornis (28.64%), Neem oil 0.5% (27.71%), Neem oil 0.5% + B. brevicornis (25.46%) and T. chilonis (25.32%). A similar trend was also observed in combination of T. chilonis + C. blackburni + B. brevicornis and C. blackburni + B. brevicornis against H. armigera, which accounted for 47.19% and 37.22% of reduction over pre-treatment count in the respective treatment combination of parasitoids. The next best treatments were T. chilonis + B. brevicornis (28.21%), C. blackburni (26.56%), B. brevicornis (22.21%), Neem oil 0.5% (20.37%), T. chilonis (17.31%) and Neem oil 0.5% + B. brevicornis (16.07%)
 Conclusion: From this study we recommend that, for bhendi fruit borers management, release of parasitoids like T. chilonis + C. blackburni + B. brevicornis at 50,000+1000+1000 adults/ha, respectively in bhendi field starting from 35 DAS at 15 days’ intervals of duration, two-time release of parasitoids is enough later, they have augmented and reduce the population of fruit borer larvae effectively.

Evaluation the efficacy of bio pesticides against gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Evaluation of six insecticides viz., Azadiractin1% (1000ppm) Neem oil, Baeuveria bassiana 1% WP, Bacillus thuriengiensis var kurstaki 5% WP, Metarhizium anisopliae 1.0% WP, Verticillium lecanii 1.15% WP and Ha NPV 250 LE were evaluated against Gram Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) larvae. The Gram Pod Borer (GPB) larval population was counted on 5 randomly selected plants at 24 hr. before spray and at 3, 7 and 10 days after spray. The two-years experiment was conducted during Rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the Rehti Farm of school of Agriculture, Mhow, experimental field of Department of Entomology, BRAUSS, (MP). All the biopesticides significantly reduced the GPB larval population. The Pooled GPB population varied from 2.30 to 2. 50 larvae/plant during Rabi season one day prior tothe first spray. The population was significantly lower with Bacillus thuriengiensis var kurstaki 5% WP, followed by Ha NPV 250 LE, Baeuveria bassiana 1% WP, Metarhizium anisopliae 1.0% WP and Azadiractina 1% (1000ppm) Neem oil, these five biopesticides are showing best management effects on the GPB larvae and pod damaging per cent and remain, and least effective treatment was Verticillium lecanii 1.15% WP. The maximum reduction of larval population and pod damaging per cent. In Rabi season, the highest chickpea grain yield was obtained with Bacillus thuriengiensis var kurstaki at 5% WP.

Efficacy of Selected Insecticides and Botanicals against the Infestation of Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hub. on Chickpea, Cicer arientinum L.

The present research was conducted at the Central Research Field of Department of Agricultural Entomology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during the Rabi season of 2021-22. The treatments used during the study were Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Karanj Oil, Neem Oil, Spinosad, Emamectin benzoate + Indoxacarb and Indoxacarb. The results revealed that highest percent reduction in larval population was observed in Emamectin benzoate 5% SG + Indoxacarb 14.5% SC (73.57%) and was most successful in bringing down the larval population. It is then followed by Spinosad 45% SC (65.03%), Indoxacarb 14.5% SC (59.02%), Beauveria bassiana (1x108 cfu) (54.87%), Metarhizium anisopliae (1x108 cfu) (50.92%), Neem Oil 2% (45.81%). While, Karanj Oil 2% prove to be the least effective treatment in reducing the larval population (37.53%).

Efficacy of Newer Selected Insecticides, Beaveria bassiana and Neem Oil against Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella)(L.) in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata)

The trail was conducted at Crop research farm, Department of Entomology of Naini Agriculture institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P) during rabi 2021-2022 to study the efficacy of newer selected insecticides, Beaveria bassiana and Neem oil against Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella) in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata) and the experiment was laid out in randomised block design with eight treatments and each was replicated thrice using a variety green soccer 546. The treatments are Spinosad 45% SC, Indoxacarb 14.5%SC, Emamectin benzoate 5%SG, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5%SC, Fipronil 5%SG, Beaveria bassaina (1x108 CFU/gm), Neem oil 0.3% along with an untreated control. The data on Percent reduction of larval population were significantly superior over control but among all treatments, chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC is best effective for diamond back moth had showing (80.35%) percent reduction of larval population followed by Spinosad 45% SC (77.06%), Indoxacarb 14.5SC (73.43%), Emamectin benzoate 5%SG (71.77%), Fipronil (68.26%),Beaveria bassiana (67.06%) and Neem oil was least effective had showing (61.18%) percent reduction of larval population but superior over control. Among all the treatments, highest yield (314.9q/ha) and Cost-benefit ratio (1:7.59) was recorded in Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 %SC followed by Spinosad 45%SC with a yield of (273.73q/ha) and Cost-benefit ratio (1:6.77) as compared to control.

Efficacy of insecticides against chickpea pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) at Sodo district Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Pod borer is a major insect pest constraining chickpea production at southern Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted at Sodo district with the objective to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides for the control of pod borer of chickpea. The experiment was conducted using one chickpea variety; Habru and five insecticides Diaznon (1.2l/ha), Diamethoate (1L/ha), Apron star (600g with 500l of water ha-1), Endosulfan (250g/ha) and Karate (400ml/ha). The result revealed that all insecticides were effective against pod borer with difference on percent larval population reduction. The pod borer damage reduction by insecticides treatment ranged from 35.4% to 68.6% and 39.5% to 76.7% compared to that in control. Diaznon and karate resulted maximum seed yield 1561.20 kg/ha and 1498.90 kg/ha, in 2017 and 1391.40kg/ha,1421.29 kg/ha in 2019 respectively. The highest larval reduction was obtained from plot treated with insecticide Diaznon followed by insecticide Karate 5% EC 68.6%, 64% during 2017 cropping season respectively and in 2019 cropping season highest larval reduction was obtained from plot treated with insecticide Karate 5% EC 76.7% followed by Diaznon treated plot 67.2%.In both 2017 and 2019 experimentalyears better yield increment was recorded from Diaznon and Karate 5% EC treated plot. During 2017 cropping season the maximum yield increment was obtained from Diaznon treated plot 27.3% followed by Karate 24.2% and during 2019 cropping season Karate 5% EC treated plot 32.6% followed by Diaznon treated plot 31.2%. Thus chickpea growers in the area should prefer the insecticides Karate 5% EC and Diaznon in mixed up for better pod borer management.

BIO-EFFICACY OF PB-ROPE (L) AS MATING DISRUPTANT AGAINST PINK BOLLWORM, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) IN COTTON

Mating disruption through sex pheromone is a very important technique in integrated pest management (IPM) of pink bollworm in cotton. Present study was carried out during 2020 and 2021 at farm area of cotton Research Station, Faisalabad, Pakistan to check the effectiveness of PB-Rope L (sex pheromone) against pink bollworm. PB-Rope L were tied to the cotton sticks @ 240/hectare at pin square stage. The block where PB-Rope were installed showed significantly lower pink bollworm moth catches as compared with control block. Mean percent reduction in moth catches was observed 68.24 and 72.52% over control during consecutive years. Minimum mean percent green boll damage was observed in block-A i.e., 4.16 and 3.98% as compared with control block-B (12.47 and 13.42%), with percent reduction 66.64 and 70.34% during both years of study. The block treated with PB-Ropes showed significantly less population (5.42 and 6.70 larvae per 50 green bolls) as compared with control block without PB-Ropes (11.69 and 13.47 larvae per 50 green bolls). The percent reduction in larval population was recorded 53.64 and 50.26% as compared to control treatment during consecutive years. Significantly low mean percent damage was recorded in left over bolls and higher yield was also recorded in PB-ropes plot as compared to control plot.

Bio-efficacy of insecticides against fall armyworm

A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design to find out the effective management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J S Smith) in maize (Zea mays L.) through different insecticides and bio-pesticides during kharif 2019 and 2020 at Agronomy farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The three sprays of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC were found most effective treatment against S. frugiperda and gave the better results with maximum reduction of larval population, lowest plant damage (%), lowest leaf damage (%), lowest cob damage (%) and highest grain yield. It is followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG and found at par at 5th day after each spray. The next effective treatments were spinosad 45 SC, thiodicarb 75 WP, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and azadirachtin 10000 ppm. The maximum Incremental Benefit Cost Ratio was obtained from the three sprays of emamectin benzoate 5 SG.

On farm trials on management of pod borer complex in green gram

Pulses productivity in Rajasthan is lesser than the national average due to the poor management of the crop. Green gram, an important pulse crop, is attacked by different pod borer species like gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, spotted pod borer, Maruca testulalis and M. vitrata, spiny pod borer, Etiella zinckenella, etc. Pod borers directly feed on the pods and seeds causing appreciable deterioration in grain quality and quantity. Pod borer complex is a major constraint to increase production of green gram therefore the on farm trial (OFT) were undertaken by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lunkaransar of Bikaner for two consecutive years 2019 and 2020. The results on the management of pod borer complex in green gram indicated that maximum per cent reduction in larval population of pod borers was observed in 79.25 and 82.69 per cent in kharif 2019 and 2020, respectively, in recommended spray (emamectin benzoate 5 SG 0.5 gm per litre water). The maximum benefit cost ratio of 2.77 and 4.00 were obtained in the recommended practices, while it was minimum 1.66 and 2.63 in farmers practice (quinalphos 25 EC @ 1.25 l ha−1) during kharif 2019 and 2020.

Evaluation of different treatment schedules of Chlorfenapyr 10% SC against diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella (Lin.) on cabbage

Present study was made to evaluate the efficacy of certain new molecules against Diamond Back Moth (DBM). The data on population of DBM was taken as number of larvae from 10 plants selected at random from each plot. Pre-treatment count was taken 1 day before spraying which was followed by observations on pest incidence at 3rd, 5th and 7th days after spraying (DAS). The results revealed that highest (74.65% and 76.91% in 1st and 2nd years respectively) larval population reduction over control was found in Chlorfenapyr 10% SC @ 1000 ml/ha which was at par with the same chemical @ 750 ml/ha recording 72.46 and 74.44% reduction in 1st and 2nd years respectively. All the treatments were superior over untreated control in respect of yield. However the plots treated with Chlorfenapyr 10% SC @ 1000 ml/ha recorded highest yield (182.04 and 180.14 q/ha in 1st and 2nd years respectively) followed by the other chemicals.

Efficacy of different biopesticides against major insect pests of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 7 treatments replicated three times. The treatments comprised of T1 (Neem oil @ 5 ml/L), T2 (NSKE 5% @ 5 g/L), T3 (Dashparni ark @ 6 ml/L), T4 (Beauveria bassiana @ 4 g/L), T5 (Verticilium lecanii @ 4g/L) and T6 (Metarrhizium anisopliae @ 4 g/L) and along with untreated check during kharif season of 2019-2020. The observations on the effect of these biopesticidal treatments on thrips, mites, white fly and fruit borer were recorded. The biopesticides application at 25 & 45 days after transplanting showed that all the treatments were found effective against controlling major pest of chilli as compared to untreated control. The treatment with T1 (Neem oil @ 5 ml/L) was proved very effective in management of thrips followed by T2 (NSKE 5% @ 5 g/L) T5 (Verticilium lecanii @ 4 g/L) and T6 (Metarrhizium anisopliae @ 4 g/L), respectively. The similar trend was observed in case of whitefly and mite where T1 (Neem oil @ 5 ml/L) proved very effective in their management and at par with T2 (NSKE 5% @ 5 g/L) followed by treatment T5 (Verticilium lecanii @ 4 g/L) and was T6 (Metarrhizium anisopliae @ 4 g/L). In case of fruit borer T1 (Neem oil @ 5 ml/L) and T2 (NSKE 5% @ 5 g/L) proved to be the best treatments showing maximum reduction of larval population followed by T4 (Beauveria bassiana @ 4 g/L), T6 (Metarrhizum anisopliae @ 4 g/L), T5 (Verticilium lecanii @ 4 g/L) and T3 (Dashparni), respectively. In case of natural enemies the treatments T1 (Neem oil @ 5 ml/L), T2 (NSKE @ 5 ml/L) and T4 (Beauveria bassiana @ 4 g/L) were found to be safer treatments.

Efficacy of Commercial Insecticides against Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Palpa, Nepal

A survey and field experiment were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of commercial insecticides against tomato leaf miner [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] under farmer‘s field condition in Palpa, Nepal from February 2018 to April 2018. It consists of seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments included: Abamectin 0.15% EC (dose: 0.3ml/liter), Imidachloprid 17.8% SL (dose: 0.3ml/liter), Spinosad 45% SC (0.3ml/liter), Azadirachtin 300 ppm (5ml/liter), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (0.3ml/liter), Emamectin benzoate 5% SC (2gm/liter) and control. Treatments were applied two times at 12 days interval. From the farmer survey, Tuta absoluta was identified as the major production problem of the study area. The field experiment revealed that there was a significant effect of insecticides in larval mortality and damage reduction. The lowest percentage of leaves damage was obtained in spinosad followed by chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate and the lowest fruits damage was obtained in chlorantraniliprole followed by spinosad and emamectin benzoate. Similarly, the lowest larval population in both leaves and fruits was observed in chlorantraniliprole followed by spinosad and emamectin benzoate. Average mining in infested leaves and fruits was found non-significant at all days of observation. The rate of larval population reduction over control was found highest in chlorantraniliprole followed by spinosad and emamectin benzoate. Thus, chlorantraniliprole, spinosad and emamectin benzoate were superior insecticides for management of Tuta absoluta in the field condition.

Efficacy of Coragen 20 SC against Lepidopteran Pest in Greengram and Its Compatibility with Bacillus thuringiensis Isolates

Background: Green gram, Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek is third most important pulse crop cultivated in India. The two key insect pest viz., pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner and Tobacco leaf caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fabricius inflicts heavy yield loss in greengram. As these are polyphagous insect pest and the crop is a short duration crop, immediate management strategy such as chemical control is very much essential to check its yield loss. The current study reports the efficacy of novel insecticide i.e. Coragen® 20 SC against above cited two insect pest in greengram. Further its effect on non-target insects and its influence on growth and survival of Bacillus thuringiensis were evaluated. Methods: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Coragen® 20 SC (at four doses viz., 75 ml ha-1, 100 ml ha-1, 125 ml ha-1 150 ml ha-1), chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 l ha-1 and emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 220 g ha-1 against H. armigera and S. litura during kharif 2018 and 2019. Based on larval load per plant, the percent reduction in larval counts was estimated based on Henderson and Tilton method. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) was worked out for each respective year based on seed yield and net returns. Result: Coragen® 20 SC at 125 ml ha-1 and 150 ml ha-1 had resulted in highest percent reduction in larval population over control. Simultaneously, the highest BCR during kharif 2018 (6.29, 4.21) and 2019 (5.95, 5.64) were recorded from above 2 treatments. Further, Coragen® 20 SC showed compatibility with 5 Bt isolates evaluated, i.e Bt growth didn’t inhibited in nutrient agar containing field dose of Coragen 20 SC.

Safe and cost effective management of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using green insecticide baits

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a new invasive species in India. This pest is occurring in serious proportions, causing significant damage to the maize crop in several states across the country. Insecticides are applied several times for managing the fall armyworm on maize, which significantly increases the cost of plant protection. In this study green chemistry molecules were directly applied to the leaf whorls in the form of poison baits, in the place of foliar sprays. Main objective of this study was to reduce the cost of plant protection by changing the method of chemical delivery and to make the produce safe for consumption by using green chemistry (slightly toxic) insecticides. Poison baits prepared using spinetoram 5 ml/kg, 2.5 ml/kg and novaluron 5 ml/kg recorded maximum larval mortality and minimized the leaf damage by fall armyworm. These insecticides contributed for 97.20, 93.15 and 92.46 per cent reduction in larval population over untreated control, respectively at 14 days after second application. Comparative efficacy of insecticide when applied as baits vis-a-vis foliar sprays suggested that the difference was non-significant in spinetoram, novaluron and chlorantraniliprole. There was substantial reduction in the cost of plant protection ranging from 22 to 44 per cent in bait application over foliar spray involving same insecticide. Overall, this study opens up new opportunity for reducing the cost of plant protection while managing fall armyworm on maze.

Biocontrol-based management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Indian Maize

Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (fall armyworm) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of maize that has recently entered in India causing damage and yield loss. A biocontrol-based integrated pest management (IPM) strategy was designed and evaluated in farmer’s field during rabi and kharif season (2018–2019). IPM strategy comprising installation of controlled release FAW pheromone traps, four releases of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, two sprays of neem oil, one spray of each Bacillus thuringiensis (NBAIR-BT25) and Metarizium anisopliae (NBAIR Ma-35) resulted in 76 and 71.64% egg mass; 80 and 74.44% larval population reduction at 60 days after treatment during rabi and kharif season, respectively. Cob yield per acre in biocontrol-based IPM field was higher than the farmer’s practice (6–7 sprays of emamectin benzoate 5% SG) during both the seasons, and it resulted in 38.3 and 42.29% gain in yield per acre during rabi and kharif, respectively. Therefore, this module forms a base to manage the fall armyworm in an eco-friendly and farmer friendly manner. Future research with other alternatives has also been discussed.

Bio-efficacy of insecticide, Cyclaniliprole 100 DC against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hubmer. Infesting chickpea

The present investigation was conducted at Ariculture Research Station, Hanumanamatti, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during rabi Season. Gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera larval population was observed from vegetative stage of the crop. The peak population of gram pod borer were observed from flowering stage. The new insecticide molecule Cyclaniliprole 100 DC different dosages Viz., 30,35 and 40 g a.i./ha gave significantly highest in reduction of larval population compared to Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 25 g a.i./ha and Novaluron 10% EC @ 75 g a.i./ha without causing any significant effect on natural enemies. The highest yield was obtained from Cyclaniliprole 10% DC @ 40 g a.i /ha treated plots (13.25 q/ha) which was statistically at par with the treatment of Cyclaniliprole 10% DC @ 35 g a.i/ha, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 25 g a.i./ha and Cyclaniliprole 10% DC @ 30 g a.i./ha (12.92, 12.80 and 11.71 q/ha, respectively).