Field efficacy and incremental cost-benefit analysis of different biopesticides and some novel insecticides on the pod borer complex of green gram

Test molecules comprised of biopesticides viz., NSKE 5%, Bacillus thuringiensis (1000 ml/ha) and novel insecticides viz., flubendiamide 480 SC (200 ml/ha), chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (200 ml/ha) along with emamectin benzoate 5 SG (200 g/ha) along with prophenophos 50 EC (1000 ml/ha) as standard check were used. The biopesticides were sprayed once at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and spraying of insecticides was done once at 45 DAS i.e. 15 days after first spraying. Among the treatments, NSKE 5% + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 ml/ha proved most efficient with lowest number of larvae/plant (0.67 numbers of larvae/plant) and highest reduction (87.59%) in larval population over control at 14 days after application of novel insecticides. The Bt + emamectin benzoate 5 SG and Bt + chlorantraniliprole found to be relatively safer to natural enemies in comparison to other treatments. Greatest grain yield along with the least amount of pod damage (8.93 q/ha) has been obtained from 5% NSKE + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 ml/ha registering around 98.00% increase over control. The said treatment emerged as the most economic treatment with highest ICBR (2.75) and incremental benefit over control (Rs. 25204.65/ha).