Bioefficacy of insecticides and biopesticides against pomegranate fruit borer, Deudorix epijarbas moore Kumar Neeraj, Gupta Divender* Department of Entomology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India *Email for correspondence: divender@rediffmail.com
Online published on 21 August, 2018. Abstract The studies on infestation and management of pomegranate fruit borer, Deudorix epijarbas revealed initiation of infestation in 3rd weekof June in pomegranate. Among different insecticides and biopesticides endosulfan (0.05%), deltamethrin (0.0028%) and quinalphos (0.05%) proved effective. Three spray schedules at 21 day interval (Set-II) starting from the initiation of infestation was more viable than the six spray schedules (Set-I) due to less number of sprays and almost equivalent efficacy level (<20% infestation) in comparison to control (>80% infestation) after the last spray application. The benefit-cost ratio was highest in the recommended insecticide, cypermethrin (42.70: 1) in a three spray module and (29.60: 1) in six spray module. The BCR calculated was 22.01: 1, 13.33: 1 and 18.15: 1 for endosulfan, quinalphos and deltamethrin respectively in a three spray schedule whereas the corresponding figures were 14.20: 1, 10.57: 1 and 15.74: 1 in six spray schedule. Hence Set-II (3 sprays) was more viable due to less expenditure and better output in comparison to Set-I (6 sprays). Among biopesticides Bt showed optimum efficacy with a moderate benefit-cost ratio though not better than the synthetic insecticides. Overall endosulfan (0.05%), deltamethrin (0.0028%) and quinalphos (0.05%) proved effective in managing pomegranate fruit borer, D epijarbas. Top Keywords Deudorix epijarbas, pomegranate, insecticides, biopesticides, efficacy. Top |