Bio-efficacy of some modern insecticides as seed treatment against foliar aphid complex in wheat

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the bio-efficacy of imidacloprid 48% FS (Gaucho 600 FS) along with thiamethoxam 30% FS against foliar aphid complex in wheat. Keeping a no treatment control, chlorpyrifos 20% EC was also used as a standard check. Seed treatment application was carried out using three doses of imidacloprid 48% FS i.e. 250 ml, 300 ml and 350 ml/100 kg seeds alongwith one treatment each of thiamethoxam 30% FS @ 330 ml/100 kg seeds and chlorpyrifos 20% EC @ 400 ml/100 kg seeds. Of all the pesticides tested, imidacloprid 48% FS @ 300 ml/100 kg seeds and 350 ml/100 kg seeds significantly reduced the population build up (27.90 -40.79%) of corn leaf aphid followed by 16.16 -33.56% in thiamethoxam 30% FS @ 330 ml/100 kg seeds and 12.93 -25.66% in chlorpyrifos 20% EC @ 400 ml/100 kg seeds. Regardless of the doses and type of the pesticide molecules used in the experiment, no phytotoxic effect such as epinasty, hyponasty, scorching, chlorosis and wilting were observed on wheat plants.