Bioefficacy and economics of different insecticides against legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata Fabricius) infesting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walpers)

The experiment was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments replicated thice at research farm of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banars Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh during zaid 2009–10 and 2010–11. The cowpea was grown in experimental plots of 6.0 m² by following recommonded horticultural practices. The population dynamics of legume pod borer were recorded at weekly interval. The insecticidal treatments were given at economic threshold level of insect. The observations per cent pod damage, yield and benefit: cost ratio revealed that the most effective treatment was Bacillus thuringiensis 5WG (0.025%) and fipronil 5SC (0.015%). However, flubendamide 480SC (0.3ml/lit) and azadirachtin 10000ppm (5ml/lit) were observed as least effective treatments. Remianing treatments showed moderate action in management of this insect-pest under cowpea agroecosystem.