Field Efficacy of Newer Insecticides against Tomato Fruit Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Comparative field performance of spinosad 45SC @ 100, 125 and 150 mL ha⁻¹ and indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 250, 375 and 500 mL ha⁻¹ is reported against tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera during 2010 and 2011 in comparison with flubendiamide 480 SC @ 75 mL ha⁻¹ and profenophos 50 EC @ 1500 mL ha⁻¹ as standard checks. The population of larvae before treatment varied from 2.40 to 3.10 and 2.89 to 3.08 per plant during 2010 and 2011, respectively. During 2010, all the treatments were on a par with each other but significantly superior than the untreated control after 7 and 10 days of spray. During 2011, significantly lower larval population was observed in indoxacarb @ 500 mL ha⁻¹ followed by spinosad @ 150 mL ha⁻¹, flubendiamide @ 75 mL ha⁻¹ and profenophos @ 1500 mL ha⁻¹. During 2010, significantly lower fruit infestation was observed in indoxacarb @ 500 mL ha⁻¹ than that of all other insecticidal treatments after 3 days of spray, however, during 2011, significantly lower fruit infestation was observed in flubendiamide @ 75 mL ha⁻¹. In both the years, after 7 days of spray, fruit infestation in spinosad @ 150 mL ha⁻¹, indoxacarb @ 500 mL ha⁻¹ and flubendiamide @ 75 mL ha⁻¹ was significantly lower than all other insecticidal treatments. The highest yield was obtained in spinosad @ 150 mL ha⁻¹ during both the years. The highest increase in yield over control and maximum avoidable losses were also obtained in spinosad @ 150 mL ha⁻¹ during both the years. Overall, spinosad @ 150 mL ha⁻¹ and indoxacarb @ 500 mL ha¹ can be used for the management of H. armigera on tomato.