Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Katrain (Kullu valley), Himachal Pradesh (India).
*Present address: Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012(India).
High volume spraying with emulsifiable concentrates of dimethoate, oxydemeton methyl, endosulfan, malathion, phosphamidon, dichlorvos and monocrotophos was carried out for two consecutive years to control pests of French bean under field conditions. All the insecticides gave significant control of the bug (Chauliops fallax Scott.), hadda beetle (Epilachna ocellata Redt.), leaf-hoppers (Amrasca spp.), and aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch.). The insecticides sprayed at 0.05% concentration proved better than 0.025% and were in most cases at par with 0.075% concentration. Phosphamidon (0.05%) provided the best control, followed by dimethoate, endosulfan and oxydemeton methyl. Malathion was the least effective. Two sprayings at fortnightly intervals gave full protection up to harvesting of the crop in both the years. Seed yield increased from 12 to 42% due to different insecticides. Maximum seed yield was 925 g/plot (4 m x 4 m) due to dimethoate while it was 650 g/plot In control. The seed yield due to other insecticides ranged between 730 and 850 g/plot.
