Efficacy of virus based biopesticide formulation against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera in chickpea

The field experiments were carried out during the rabi 2020–21 season at farmer's field in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. Efficacy of biopesticides namely Helicop 2% AS (HaNPV formulation) at 250, 375 and 500 ml/haalong with standard checks DOR Bt-1 at 2000 g/haand Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole) @ 125 ml/ha were evaluated against gram pod borer, H. armigera in gram. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with 6 treatments including untreated control each replicated three times. Helicop 2% AS showed increased efficacy in suppressing the larval population of H. armigera with increase in the concentration of the insecticide and days after application. Highest suppression (77.78%) of larval population was observed @ 500 ml/ha after 10 days of first spray of Helicop 2% AS. Similar trend for reduction in larval population was observed after 7 days of second spray also. It was noticed that 58.12, 80.66 and 90.32 per cent reduction in larval population occurred 7 days after second spray when Helicop 2% AS used @ 250, 375 and 500 ml/ha, respectively. Reduction in larval population was 87.04 per cent when DOR Bt 1 was used @ 2000 g/ha. No significant differences in reducing the larval population were observed when Helicop 2% AS @ 500 ml/ha, DOR Bt 1@ 2000 g/ha and Coragen 18.5 SC @ 125 ml/ha used after 7 days of second spray, although all the treatments differed significantly as compared to control.Hence, Helicop 2% AS may be used as an alternative control measures @ 500 ml/ha for the management of H. armigera in gram. Its use must be recommended early in the season when the larvae are young and two sprays may be recommended for better results.