Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Karnal, 132001, Haryana
Field efficacy of dinubenzuron, neem oil and neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) was studied against Hellcoverpa armigera Rb. infesting chickpea during 1986.87 and 1988–89 seasons. At a level of 20.5% (1986–87) and 12.5% (1988–89) overall infestation, dinubenzuron (0.05%), neem oil and NSKE (5.0%) sprayed at an interval of 10 days gave a two fold reduction in pod borer Infestation over untreated control. All treatments resulted in significantly higher seed yield in both the years. Increase in seed yield was 39 and 47% with dinubenzuron (0.05%) and endosulfan (0.07%) over the untreated control, respectively.
During the 1989–90 and 1990–91 seasons, some new neem products and chitin biosynthesis Inhibitors were evaluated along with endosulfan. A high level of pod borer Infestation was recorded (12.5% in 1989 and 37% in 1990–91). Flufenoxuron, irrespective of its dosages (0.0125% and 0.025%), reduced pod borer infestation by 45 - 50% during the 1989–90 season, and by 77 - 78% In the 1990–91 season orer untreated control. Neem emulsion and neem wettable powder afforded 40–60%, whereas fenvalerate and endosulfan gave 72–72% reduction in pod borer infestation over untreated control in 1990–91. NSKE at 5.0% gave 40% reduction in infestation and was comparable to endosulfan at 0.07% (1989–91). Neemguard was ineffective. There were no significant differences in the seed yield in plots treated with neem emulsion (0.125%), NSKE (5%), nufenoxuron, and endosulfan (0.07%).
