Sucking Pests Of Cotton Research Articles

Efficacy of Combi-Product Fipronil 40%+ Imidacloprid 40%WG against Leafhopper and Thrips in Cotton

The efficacy of lessenta 80 WG (fipronil 40%+ imidacloprid 40%WG) @ 125, 100 and 75 g ai/ ha was evaluated against sucking pests of cotton in comparison with the fipronil 5%SC @ 125 g ai/ ha, imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 250 g ai/ ha, lambda-cyhalothrin 5%EC @ 600 g ai/ ha and monocrotophos 36%SL @ 437 g ai/ ha at the Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Fipronil 40%+ imidacloprid 40%WG @ 125 g ai/ ha recorded significantly minimum (8.25 and 3.01) Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) incidence, respectively followed by lessenta 80 WG @ 100 g ai/ ha (8.68 and 3.42, respectivey) and fipronil 40%+ imidacloprid 40%WG @ 75 g ai/ ha (9.55 and 3.98, respectively). Further, significantly highest seed cotton yield of 13.99 q/ha, 13.58 q/ha and 12.86 q/ha, respectively were harvested from the fipronil 40%+ imidacloprid 40%WG treatments proving them better choice in effective management of both A. biguttula biguttula and T. tabaci incidence.

Response of Natural Enemies toward Selective Chemical Insecticides; Used for the Integrated Management of Insect Pests in Cotton Field Plots

Sucking pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), such as thrips, or Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and jassid, or Amrasca biguttula Ishida, are among the most threatening insect pests to young cotton plants in Pakistan. New chemical insecticides have been trialed to control their damage in commercial fields. Formulations that show good suppression of these pest’s populations, while sparing bio-controlling agents, are always preferred for obtaining better crop yield. Six different commercially available insecticides, namely Fountain® (fipronil and imidacloprid), Movento Energy® (spirotetramat and imidacloprid), Oshin® (dinotefuran), Concept Plus® (pyriproxyfen, fenpyroximate, and acephate), Maximal® (nitenpyram), and Radiant® (spinetoram) were evaluated in the present study to shortlist the best available insecticide against targeted pests. Harmful impacts of selected insecticides were also evaluated against naturally occurring predators, such as spiders and green lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea). Radiant® (spinetoram) and Movento Energy®, respectively, were best at controlling thrips (with 61% and 56% mortality, respectively) and jassid (62% and 57% mortality, respectively) populations during 2018 and 2019. Radiant® proved itself as the best option and showed minimal harmful effects on both major arthropod predators of cotton fields i.e., spiders (with 8–9% mortality) and green lacewings (with 12–16% mortality). Movento Energy® also showed comparatively less harmful effects (with 15–18% mortality) towards natural predatory fauna of cotton crops, as compared to other selective insecticides used in the study. The findings of current study suggest that the judicious use of target-oriented insecticides can be an efficient and predator-friendly management module in cotton fields. However, the impact of these chemicals is also depended on their timely application, keeping in consideration the ETL of pests and the population of beneficial arthropods.

Bio-efficacy of Sulfoxaflor and Other Insecticides Against Sucking Pests of Cotton

The field trials were conducted for two consecutive years during kharif, 2015 and 2016 seasons at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal, Telangana, India to study the bio efficacy of sulfoxaflor and other broad-spectrum insecticides on sucking pests and natural enemies of cotton under rain fed black soils. Among the treatments, a significant (47.6%) reduction of aphids was recorded with sulfoxaflor at 100 g a.i. ha-1 followed by flonicamid at 75 g a.i. ha-1 (42.8%) and sulfoxaflor at 90 (42.8%) as compared to other treatments. The highest reduction (61.0 %) of jassid was observed in flonicamid at 75 g a.i. ha-1 followed sulfoxaflor at 90 (50.8%) as compared to other treatments. The highest reduction (30.2%) of thrips was observed in sulfoxaflor at 100 g a.i. ha-1 followed by flonicamid at 75 g a.i. ha-1 (19.8%) and sulfoxaflor at 90 (19.8%) respectively, as compared to other treatments. The highest reduction (41.9%) of whitefly was observed in buprofezin at 250 g a.i. ha-1 followed by dinotefuran at 150 g a.i. ha-1 (35.5%) as compared to other treatments. None of the insecticidal treatments has affected the abundance of the natural enemy population during both the years of study. Overall, the study further revealed that, Sulfoxaflor at 100 g a.i ha-1 and flonicamid at 75 g a.i. ha-1 have shown good efficacy against sucking pests as well as recorded the highest seed cotton yield compared to other treatments and can be used as an alternative to other insecticides in the control of Cotton sucking pests.

Use of botanical spray to delay application of first pesticide against sucking pests of cotton which ultimately mitigate climate change

Cotton is a cash crop and its raw material is extremely important for use in textile industry. Pakistan comes in top exporter of cotton. Cotton crop is under different stresses during its production out of which pest pressure is most important to deal with. Rural Education & Economic Development Society (REEDS) Pakistan is working for production of better of cotton along with promotion of less pesticide use thus mitigating the environmental pollution. REEDS has established field study for use of neem extract as botanical spray against sucking pests and diseases. This experiment was done on farmer fields of Vehari and Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab and Dadu, Sindh. Botanical spray was used against sucking pests to delay the application of first pesticide for maximum number days. Which would ultimately reduce the number of pesticides applied along with less residual effects on humans and environment. The pest scouting data of trial plot clearly show the decrease in pest population after application of neem extract up to 79 days after sowing in comparison to control plot. Similarly, number of total pesticides used in trail plots were less in comparison to control plots.

Stem Application Technology with Modified Tools for Management of Sucking Pests in Cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.)

Cotton is the most important commercial crop of Telangana State with an area of 1.41 M ha., covering more than 95 per cent under Bt. Sucking pest infestation is the major biotic constraint responsible for considerable yield loss and high consumption of insecticide in cotton. As an alternative to chemical spray, stem application technology was assessed for the sucking pest management of cotton in the farmer's field of Karimnagar District for the five years starting from 2014–15. Imidacloprid (18.5 SL) solution @ 1: 20 dilution was applied for three times at 20, 40 and 60 DAS. It was effectively controlled the sucking pests of cotton by reducing number of sprays and saved 74.95 per cent of insecticide (249.49 g.ai/ha). Cost saving of Rs. 3, 340/ha., coupled with 8.11 per cent increase in yield resulted in additional net returns of Rs. 7, 810/ha., over control. Obtained high B: C ratio of 1.86 compared to control (1.59). Over all cumulative monitory benefit of Rs. 6, 49, 300/-was realised in an area of 20.0 ha., over five years.

Rolling Stem Applicator-An Eco-Friendly, Low Cost, Input Saving and Drudgery Reducing Tool for Managing Sucking Pests of Cotton

The present study was taken to assess the performance of Rolling stem applicator in comparison with normal traditional method of hand spraying in cotton for sucking pests. The study revealed that Rolling stem applicator was more efficient than spraying for increased crop protection and reducing cost of cultivation. With the rolling stem applicator, the time period and quantity of insecticide required for the application were lesser as compared to spraying, subsequently the cost was also reduced. Even the quantity of spray fluid required for the rolling stem applicator was very less i.e. 750–1250 ml/ha. The number of labour required for application was less for making use of rolling stem applicator i.e. 2–3 labour to cover one hectare area which ultimately reduced the cost incurred for labour on plant protection. Even, the time required for application by rolling stem applicator was found to be less and therefore, within a span of 6 hr of time by rolling stem applicator 1.6–2.4 ha area could be covered in a day. Thus, use of the rolling stem applicator reduced the cost of cultivation to a farmer, drudgery, saved input and safe to natural enemies.

Generation and Evaluation of Nanoparticles of Supernatant of <i>Photorhabdus luminescens</i> (Thomas and Poinar) against Mite and Aphid Pests of Cotton for Enhanced Efficacy

Cell-free supernatant of Photorhabdus luminiscens was converted to nanoparticles (NPs) using a spray dryer fitted with ultrasonic nozzle. NPs were characterized by both scanning electron microscopy and zeta size analyser, and found to have average particle diameter of 89 nm. While converting to NPs, gum arabica @ 3% was used to eliminate hygroscopic property. Nanoparticulated supernatant exhibited superior pesticidal property against serious sucking pests of cotton, viz. Tetranychus macfarlanei and Aphis gossypii . On mites, NPs of P. luminiscens recorded lower median lethal concentration (LC 50 : 0.0001 ppm) compared to normal form (8.36 x 10 2 ppm) within 12 h of exposure. Similarly, on aphids, lower LC 50 (LC 50 : 0.0027 ppm) was recorded by NPs compared to normal form (LC 50 : 2.12 x 10 3 ppm). High mortality coupled with quick action emphasizes the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing the pathogenicity of a microbial pesticide.

Resistance of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens to nitenpyram: Cross-resistance patterns, mechanism, stability, and realized heritability

The green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a major generalist predator employed in integrated pest management (IPM) plans for pest control on many crops. Nitenpyram, a neonicotinoid insecticide has widely been used against the sucking pests of cotton in Pakistan. Therefore, a field green lacewing strain was exposed to nitenpyram for five generations to investigate resistance evolution, cross-resistance pattern, stability, realized heritability, and mechanisms of resistance. Before starting the selection with nitenpyram, a field collected strain showed 22.08-, 23.09-, 484.69- and 602.90-fold resistance to nitenpyram, buprofezin, spinosad and acetamiprid, respectively compared with the Susceptible strain. After continuous selection for five generations (G1–G5) with nitenpyram in the laboratory, the Field strain (Niten-SEL) developed a resistance ratio of 423.95 at G6. The Niten-SEL strain at G6 showed no cross-resistance to buprofezin and acetamiprid and negative cross-resistance to spinosad compared with the Field strain (G1). For resistance stability, the Niten-SEL strain was left unexposed to any insecticide for four generations (G6–G9) and bioassay results at G10 showed that resistance to nitenpyram, buprofezin and spinosad was stable, while resistance to acetamiprid was unstable. The realized heritability values were 0.97, 0.16, 0.03, and −0.16 to nitenpyram, buprofezin, acetamiprid and spinosad, respectively, after five generations of selection. Moreover, the enzyme inhibitors (PBO or DEF) significantly decreased the nitenpyram resistance in the resistant strain, suggesting that resistance was due to microsomal oxidases and esterases. These results are very helpful for integration of green lacewings in IPM programs.

Efficacy of Diafenthiuron 47.8 SC Against Sucking Pests of Cotton and ITS Safety to Natural Enemies

Field studies were undertaken at research farm, IPFT, Gurgaon to study the comparative bioefficacy of diafenthiuron 47.8 SC, at four doses viz., 191.2 g a.i./ha, 215.1 g a.i./ha, 239.0 g a.i./ha and 286.8 g a.i./ha along with market sample diafenthiuruon 50 WP @ 300 g a.i./ha and imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 20.0 ml/ha against sucking pests of cotton and its safety to natural enemies during kharif, 2012–13 and 2013–14. Diafenthiuron 47.8 SC @ 286.8 g a.i./ha was highly effective in suppressing the sucking pests viz., Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida), Aphis gossypii (Glover), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, and it had no adverse effects on the natural enemies.

Bioefficacy of Kinadongold against Sucking Pests of Cotton

Supervised field trials were conducted to evaluate Kinadongold (Phosphamidon 40% + imidacloprid 2% SP) as foliar application for its bioefficacy against sucking insects, phytotoxicity and effect on natural enemies on cotton in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Two season field experiments on cotton revealed that the higher dose of Kinadongold (700 g ha-1) recorded 76.43, 73.28, 76.06 and 69.66 per cent reduction over untreated check for leafhoppers, thrips, aphids and whiteflies, respectively and it was followed by with on par Kinadongold (600 g ha-1), that recorded 74.02, 72.33, 74.34 and 66.77 per cent reduction over untreated check for leafhoppers, thrips, aphids and whiteflies, respectively. There was an initial setback in the population of natural enemies in the Kinadongold treated plots, but it started increasing gradually. Kinadongold did not cause any phytotoxic symptoms even up to a dose of 2400 g ha-1 on cotton.