Efficacy of Spinosad 45 SC against Thrips, Scitrothrips dorsalis (Hood) and Pod borer, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) on Chillies

Field experiments were conducted on chilli crop to assess the bioefficacy of spinosad 45 SC on chilli thrips and pod borer at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur during 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons. Spinosad 45 SC tested at 100,125,162.5 and 200 mL ha⁻¹ were effective against chilli thrips Scitrothrips dorsalis and pod borer Spodoptera exigua. Spinosad 45 SC @ 125 mL ha⁻¹ exhibited efficacy equal to higher doses and is the optimum dose for control of thrips and pod borer on chilli crop. Foliar application of spinosad at 200 mL ha⁻¹ (1208 kg ha⁻¹), followed by spinosad at 162.5 mL ha⁻¹ (1184 kg ha⁻¹), 125 mL ha⁻¹ (1120 kg ha⁻¹) and 100 mL ha⁻¹ (1086 kg ha⁻¹) recorded the maximum pod yields and are statistically on par with each other but significantly superior to endosulfan, fipronil and chlorpyriphos.