Comparative Economic Analysis of Novel Insecticides and Biorationals against Thrips Infestation in Chilli in Prayagraj District, India

Abstract

The invasive polyphagous pest Thrips parvispinus caused substantial damage to chilli crops across India. This study assessed the economic viability of various insecticides and biorationals  against T. parvispinus using twelve treatments arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Field experiments were conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 at the Central Research Farm, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Significant yield variations were observed across treatments. Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD consistently recorded the highest yields (125 and 124 q/ha), followed by Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (116 and 114 q/ha), Acetamiprid 20% SP (104 and 110 q/ha), and Broflanilide 30% SC (98 and 105 q/ha). Fipronil 5% SC yielded 90               and 97 q/ha, while among the botanicals, Spinosad 45% SC achieved 82 and 90 q/ha. Azadirachtin 3% (75 and 84 q/ha), Pongamia oil 5% (70 and 80 q/ha), and NSKE 5% (65 and 76 q/ha) also performed better than the control. Among biopesticides, Lecanicillium lecanii (56 and 74 q/ha) outperformed Beauveria bassiana (50 and 70 q/ha), both of which surpassed the untreated control (40 and 52 q/ha).Economic analysis revealed Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD as the most cost-effective treatment, with the highest benefit-cost ratio (1:7.62 and 1:6.37), followed by Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (1:7.45 and 1:6.16), Acetamiprid 20% SP (1:6.74 and 1:5.99), and Broflanilide 30% SC (1:6.28 and 1:5.66). Other treatments like Fipronil 5% SC, Spinosad 45% SC, and botanical/biopesticide options showed moderate benefit-cost ratios, all outperforming the control (1:2.64 and 1:2.89).