Evaluation biorationals against Spodoptera litura on mid early season cauliflower

Among the insecticides, spinosad 45EC, novaluran 10EC and indoxacarb 14.5SC were comparatively more effective against Spodoptera litura. Beauveria bassiana was also effective but at par with lower dose of indoxacarb and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) @ 300LE/ha showed 26.85% reduction at 3 days after spraying and application of 5% neem seed kernel aqueous extract reduced larval population. Spinosad 45% EC @ 100g ai./ha treated plots produced maximum curd yield of 183.53q/ha and was at par with novaluron 10% EC @ 100g ai./ha and indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 100g ai./ha. Spinosad 45% EC @ 100g ai./ha was found most cheaper with highest benefit cost ratio of 56.11. Among biopesticides NPV was cheaper than Beauveria bassiana. Though NSKE was found least effective but gave a benefit cost ratio of 9.20 which was slightly better than novaluron 10% EC @ 75g ai./ha