Bio-efficacy of caterpilin (Bacillus thuringiensis var-ukrstati) against pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) infesting pigeon pea

The pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) is a key Lepidoptera pest of pigeon pea in Maharashtra and Karnataka state. Bio-efficacy of Caterpilin (Bacillus thuringiensis i.e.Bt) alongwith chemical insecticides was evaluated against pod borer during kharif season at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Results compiled revealed that Pop (Chemical insecticide) + Caterpilin (Bt) @ 1.0 g/L treatment to be more promising in controlling larval population of pod borer over control during first spray (49.13 to 66.84%), second spray (48.97 to 59.68%) and third spray (43.33 to 63.98%). Similarly, the above treatment recorded maximum reduction in pod damage (49.54%) and seed damage (50.52%) with increase in yield upto 96.21% over control and 30.44% over chemical (Pop) treatment. Similarly, spraying of Caterpilin (Bt.) did not show any phytotoxic effect on pigeonpea crop.