Efficacy of some insecticides and biopesticides against pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in long duration pigeonpea

The field evaluation of some insecticides and biopesticides against Helicoverpa armigera in long duration pigeonpea was carried out during 2009-10 and 2010-11. The results revealed that there was a significant difference in per cent larval reduction in both the years. All the treatments were found significantly superior by giving higher mortality of Helicoverpa larvae to the control. The treatment of Spinosad 45% sc @ 75 g a.i./ha caused highest mortality (92.52-95.98%) of the pest followed by Endosulfan 35 EC 0.07% (83.26-88.20% mortality) and Acephate 75 SP @0.15% (83.50-86.25% mortality). The lowest larval reduction recorded in HaNPV @ 500 LE/ha with 50.77 to 54.78% mortality. The pod damage ranged from 8.33% in Spinosad 45% SC @ 75 g a. i./ha to 24.27% in HaNPV @ 500 LE/ha. The grain damage ranged from 3.67% in Spinosad 45% SC @ 75 g a. i./ha to 11.47% in NSKE-5%. The highest grain yield of 1550 kg/ha was recorded with Spinosad 45% SC @ 75 g a. i./ha. The cost: benefit ratio was high in the plots treated with endosulfan 0.07% (1: 18.87), followed by Acephate 75 SP @0.15 % (1:16.45).