Effect of sowing dates, varieties and insecticides on shootfly incidence and grain yield of rabi sorghum

Field experiments to study the effect of sowing dates, varieties and insecticides on shootfly incidence and grain yield in rabi sorghum were conducted at All India Co-ordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, (AICSIP) Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri for two years rabi 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. Four sorghum cultivars Phule Vasudha, M-35-1, Akola Kranti and Parbhani Moti were sown on 25th September and 10^th October. Insecticide treatments used were: two sprays of Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.5 mi/lit. at 14 & 21 DAE, Seed treatment of Thiamethoxam 30 FS @ 10 ml/kg seed and one spray of Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.5 ml/lit, Seed treatment of Thiamethoxam 30 FS @ 10 ml/kg seed and untreated control. The results revealed that variety Phule Vasudha with seed treatment of Thiamethoxam 30 FS @ 10 ml/kg seed with one spray of Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.5 millit at 21 DAE with sowing done on 25^th September found significantly effective in reducing the shoot fly damage as well as recording maximum grain yield.