Biorational management of gram caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in chickpea under organic farming

Chickpea is vulnerable to the broad range of insect pests of which the gram caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera is a major pest, and farmers merely rely on pesticides to manage this pest. As pesticides result in many environmental hazards, biorational products are given importance. In this study, Brahamastra and Agniastra @ 10, 15 and 20 litres ha^-1 and Neemastra @ 250 litres ha^-1 were evaluated against H. armigera in chickpea in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Incidence of H. armigera larvae was significantly less in Agniastra @ 20 litres ha^-1 (2.58/ metre plant row) followed by Brahamastra @ 20 litres ha^-1 (2.65/ metre plant row) compared to untreated control (3.77/ metre plant row). Agniastra gave maximum pest reduction over control with the least damaged pods. The grain yield was also highest with Agniastra @ 20 litres ha^-1 (1011.67 kg ha^-1) with economic returns of Rs. 4382.06 ha^-1.