Agricultural Research Journal

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various biopesticides against the pod borer complex, specifically Helicoverpa armigera and Maruca vitrata, in pigeonpea at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal, over three consecutive kharif seasons from 2019 to 2021. The study assessed seven treatments, including both chemical options and an untreated control, for their effectiveness in suppressing the pod borer complex. The findings indicated that Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt. kurstaki) at 1 g L^–1, Azadirachtin at 1500 ppm (administered at 5 mL L^–1), and Beauveria bassiana at 5 g L^–1 were significantly superior and comparable to each other in controlling both the gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and the spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata). These treatments achieved the highest mean percentage of larval reduction and the lowest cumulative percentage of pod damage compared to the control. Moreover, the best incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICBR) of 1:4.73 was recorded in plots treated with Bt. kurstaki at 1 g L^–1, which was comparable to the chemical control plot with an ICBR of 1:3.90. Thus, all three biopesticides represent viable, eco-friendly alternatives for managing pod borers in pigeonpea.