Bio-efficacy of Certain Insecticides against Pod Borer Complex of Early Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

Investigations were carried out to evaluate bioefficacy of fourteen insecticidal treatments against most economic pests of early maturing pigeonpea. A combination treatment of chloropyriphos (400 g a.i./ha), NPV (500 LE/ha) and NSKE (5%) appeared as the most effective treatment with highest grain yield of 1902.2 kg/ha, an increase of 65.1% in yield over control and reduced % pod damage (9.7%) followed by chlorpyriphos methyl @ 1250 g a.i.lha. The next effective treatments were quinalphos (500 g a.i./ha), monocrotophos (600 g a.i./ha) deltametrin (12 g a.i./ha), spinosad (50 g a.i./ha), profenofos (750 g a.i./ha), chlorpyriphos (500 g a.i./ha), chlorpyriphos methyl (1000 g a.i./ha) - NPV (500 LE/ha) - NSKE (5%). However, methyl parathion (500 g a.i./ha) and combination treatment of profenofos (1000 g a.i./ha) with NPV (500 LE/ha) alternated with mixture of chlorpyriphos methyl (1000 g a.i.lha) + cypermethrin (60 g a.i./ha) proved to be ineffective against pod borer complex on pigeonpea. Application of chlorpyriphos methyl @ 1250 g a.i./ha and alternation of chlorpyriphos (500 g a.i./ha), NPV (500 LE/ha) and NSKE (5%) resulted significant increase in yield and low pod borer damage on early pigeonpea.