Field evaluation of bio-pesticides and insecticides against cutworm in plains of West Bengal

Four biopesticides along with two synthetic insecticides were evaluated against cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufner) of potato in the eastern Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Phorate 10G applied in furrows at planting @ 1.5 Kg a.i/ha proved most effective insecticide in reducing the plant and tuber damage followed by chlorpyriphos 20 EC sprayed at the time of pest appearance @ 2.4 lit/ha. Among the bio-pesticides, Meterrhizium anisoplae Authority was also observed as effective in reducing plant and tuber damage followed by NPV. However, these bio-pesticldes were not so effective as synthetic insecticides. Maximum yield was obtained from phorate treated plot (239.21 q/ha.) while it was found minimum in control (221.73 q/ha.).