Efficacy and Economics of Selected Insecticides against Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Fab.) in Cowpea

Abstract

A field trail was conducted at Naini, Prayagraj during Kharif season 2023 at central research farm, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments replicated thrice times were evaluated against Maruca vitrata i.e. Spinosad45%SC, Azadirachtin 0.03% WSP (300ppm), Profenofos 40%+ Cypermethrin 4%EC, Nisco sixer plus, Beauveria bassiana1.15%WP, Emamectin Benzoate 5%SG, Spinosad45%SC + Neem oil5% and Control. Results revealed that, among the different treatments lowest larval population of cowpea spotted pod borer was recorded in Emamectin Benzoate 5%SG (0.95), Spinosad45%SC (1.15) was found to be the next best treatment followed by Profenofos 40%+ Cypermethrin 4%EC (1.35), Spinosad45%SC + Neem oil5% ( 1.64 ) and Nisco sixer plus (1.75), Beauveria bassiana1.15 %WP, (1.95) whereas Azadirachtin 0.03% WSP (300ppm) (2.15) was found to be least effective against this pest. The plot treated with Emamectin Benzoate 5%SG show highest yield (36.66 q/ha) followed by Spinosad45%SC (34.83 q/ha), Profenofos 40%+ Cypermethrin4%EC (33.66 q/ha), Spinosad45%SC + Neem oil5% (32.48q/ha), Nisco sixer plus (28.30 q/ha), Beauveria bassiana1.15 %WP (27.60q/ha) and Azadirachtin 0.03% WSP (26.05q/ha) as compared to control plot (16.85 q/ha). Among the treatments the best and most economical treatment was Emamectin Benzoate 5%SG (1:3.55) followed by Spinosad 45%SC (1:3.11), Profenofos 40%+ Cypermethrin4%EC (1:3.24), Spinosad45%SC + Neem oil5% (1:2.71), Nisco sixer plus (1:2.39), Beauveria bassiana1.15 %WP (1:2.34) and Azadirachtin 0.03% WSP (1:2.16) as compared to control plot (1:1.20).