Efficacy of insecticides against sucking insect pests in groundnut

The study evaluated various insecticide treatments targeting thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood and leafhoppers, Empoasca kerri Pruthi, key pests in groundnut cultivation during the summer 2021 and 2022. Among the treatments, seed treatment with imidacloprid 18.5% + hexaconazole 1.50% FS, along with foliar spray of acetamiprid 20% SP, showed notable effectiveness. This approach led to superior pest management, resulting in higher pod yield, net returns, and a favourable benefit-cost ratio. Comparable performance was observed with other treatments, including seed treatment with thiamethoxam 30 FS + acetamiprid 20% SP foliar spray and seed treatment with imidacloprid 60 FS + acetamiprid 20% SP foliar spray. Notably, seed treatments were found to be safer for natural enemies compared to foliar sprays and combinations thereof.