Annals of Plant Protection Sciences

The efficacy of three entomopathogenic nematodes viz. Steinernema carpocapsae (PDBC), Heterorhabditis indica (PDBC) and S. carpocapsae (JMU) isolates along with insecticides viz. endosulfan 35EC (0.07%) and carbaryl 50WP (0.1%) against cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae on cauliflower. The entomopathogenic nematodes were evaluated each at a dose of 0.5, 1 and 2 billion/ha. Among the nematode treated plots, S. carpocapsae (JMU) was the most effective treatment. The mortality due to S. carpocapsae (JMU) against cabbage butterfly @2 billion/ha increased from 7.5% 1 day after application to 41.8% 14 days after treatments and 5.3% 1 day after application to 42.5% 14 days after treatments, respectively. The mortality percentage increased from 1 day after application to 14 days after treatments. Similar trend was observed for other nematode treatments where the mortality increased with time. However, the insecticide treatments showed highest mortality 1 day after application and thereafter the effectiveness of these treatments declined up to 7 days application. No mortality was recorded in insecticidal treatments 10 days after application. High mortality was obtained with endosulfan 35EC and carbaryl 50WP after 3 days application.