Estimation of Losses Due to Shoot Fly Atherigona Soccata (Rondani) in Spring Maize

Five promising maize cultivars (HQPM-1, HHM-1, HM-4, HQPM-5 and HQPM-3) when evaluated the hybrid HQPM 5 showed higher 6.98%, 10.11%, and 34.14% deadhearts in case of treated, sprayed and control plot, respectively. The insecticidal treatments significantly reduced the deadhearts. Seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS applied @ 7.5 g/kg seed was more effective as compared to foliar application with endosulfan 35 EC @ 0.07%. Maximum yield of 21.08q/ha and 19.80q/ha was obtained in hybrid HQPM 1 in both treated and sprayed fields, respectively. Regardless of hybrids maximum yield (19.39 q/ha) was recorded with imidacloprid seed treatment followed by endosulfan (18.58 q/ha). The avoidable losses in seed treated with imidacloprid 70 WS varied from 26.34 to 31.03% whereas with endosulfan 35 EC it varied from 24.48 to 29.35%. It can be concluded that seed treatment with imidacloprid gave better results as compared to endosulfan.