Effect of insecticides on management of Helicoverpa armigera in Chick pea agro-ecosystem

The initial infestation of Helicoverpa armigera occurred in second week of February and reached its peak in middle of March. The population of moths in the pheromone trap varied from week to week in all the three years of the study. Applications of the insecticides were made according to ETL of H. armigera. The egg count as well as larval mortality was significantly decreased over control with all the insecticides tested after the treatment. Pods damage due to H. armigera was as high as 38.5, 33.2 and 58.8% during first, second and third year, respectively in the untreated plots. The yield of chick pea was found to be negatively correlated in relation to the pod damage. The maximum reduction in the larval count was recorded in the plots treated with neem oil and NPV in the first year as compared to the other insecticides tested after 3 days of the application, while during third cropping year, NPV was proved to be significantly efficient in bringing the larval count to 40 larvae per 10 plants. All the insecticides proved to be effective in increasing the yield of chick pea over control.