Bio-efficacy of certain new insecticides against pod borer complex in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

A study on evaluation of certain new insecticides against pod borer complex in pigeonpea was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal for three consecutive years from Kharif 2019-20 to Kharif 2021- 22 in medium maturity pigeonpea cultivar ‘Rudreswara’ (WRG-65). Seven treatments including untreated control were evaluated for their relative efficacy towards suppression of pod borer larval population and reduction of percent pod damage. The insecticide treatments along with untreated control were applied two times during the crop season viz., 50% flowering and pod formation stage. The results revealed that chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.3 ml/L followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG proved significantly superior against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata) with highest mean percent larval reduction and cumulative least percent pod damage (10.8 and 14.7%, respectively) over control. Further, chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.4 g/l recorded higher grain yields and best ICBR ratio (1:4.6; 1:4.5). Thus, the effective chemicals observed in the study could be used as basis for selection of label recommended insecticides for successful management of pod borers in pigeonpea.