Evaluation of biopesticides against gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (HUB.) on pigeonpea

A field experiment on evaluation of biopesticides against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.) on pigeon pea was carried out during kharifseason of 2012–13. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Gram pod borer is a major pest of pigeon pea in India. For the management of this pest seven biopesticides were tested along with control. Among the biopesticides, Beauveria bassiana @ 1 liter/ha (1x10¹² spores/ml) was found to be most effective biopesticide as it recorded lowest larval population (6.68 larvae/5plants). The highest larval population was recorded in control (12.61 larvae/5 plants). The least effective treatment was Paecilomycesfumosoreseus (9.31 larvae/5 plants). Similar trend was observed in the grain yield as 1667.55 kg/ha, 709.41kg/ha and 1025.21kg/ha, respectively.