Efficacy of different microbial agents against Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in green gram

Results indicated that microbial treatments were significantly superior in reducing plant mortality as well as grub population over the untreated control. However, among all the microbial tested, combined formulation of Heterorhabditis indica and Meterhizium anisopilae treated plots recorded significantly lower per cent of plant mortality (14.16 & 16.00% after 40 and 60 days of sowing, respectively) and lowest number of grubs per sq. m. (3.88) resulting in highest grain yield of 5.81 q/ha. Yield recorded in case of M. anisopliae, NBAII 04, Beauveria bassiana with H. indica and B. bassiana alone, NBAII 01 and NBAII 06 recorded a grain yield of 5.35, 4.77, 4.28, 4.29, 4.04 and 4.71 q/ha, respectively. The untreated control plots registered a very high level of plant mortality both at 40 and 60 days after sowing (29.95 & 32.06% respectively) having maximum population of grubs (7 numbers/sq.m.) with a grain yield of 4.03 q/ha.