Efficacy and economics of new insecticides for management of aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) in Indian mustard

An experiment was conducted during 2008–09 and 2009–10 for determining the efficacy and economics of newer insecticides for the management of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach) on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss). Lower aphid intensity of 7.2 and 8.2 aphids plant⁻¹ were recorded with imidacloprid 17.8 SL treatment, which produced highest seed yield of 2487 and 2377 kg ha⁻¹ during first and second year, respectively. Application of dimethoate 30 EC was second best treatment with 8.7 and 9.7 aphids plant⁻¹ providing seed yield of 2377 and 2353 kg ha⁻¹ in the respective years. Maximum net return of 30425 ha⁻¹ and cost: benefit ratio of 1:15.7 was gained from the application of imidacloprid 17.8 SL, followed by INMR of 28714 ha⁻¹ and cost: benefit ratio of 1:14.8 from dimethoate 30 EC treated mustard crop. The ranking of insecticides for the management of aphid was imidacloprid 17.8 SL <acetamiprid 20 SP <dimethoate 30 EC <thiomethoxam 25 WG <clothianidin 50 WDG <fipronil 5 SL <spinosad 45 SC.