Pesticide Research Journal

Efficacy of imidacloprid 48 per cent FS (Gaucho 600 FS) is reported as seed dressing in comparison with imidacloprid 200 SL, thiamethoxam 35 FS and chlorpyriphos 50 EC against the early season sucking pests (thrips and leaf hopper) in groundnut during kharif 2013 to 2015. Imidacloprid 48 per cent FS @ 1 mL kg⁻¹seed (1: 2 insecticide and water) was more effective than thiamethoxam 35 per cent FS @ 1 and 2 mL kg⁻¹ seed, imidacloprid 200 SL@ 3 mL kg⁻¹ seed and chlorpyriphos 50 per cent EC @ 6 mL kg⁻¹ seed, and exhibited excellent initial reduction of thrips (7.96 3 leaflets⁻¹) and leaf hopper (4.06 3 leaflets⁻¹) population and leaf damage by thrips (14.77 per cent), leaf hopper (6.25 per cent) within the 2^nd week post treatment. In contrast, the untreated control recorded maximum thrips (17.41 3 leaflets⁻¹) and leaf hopper (10.46 3 leaflets⁻¹) population and the highest leaf damage by thrips (29.28 per cent) and leaf hopper (14.38 per cent). No phytotoxicity of imidacloprid 48 per cent FS was recorded on groundnut. It was found safer to natural enemies which recorded maximum activity of coccinellids (1–4 plot⁻¹), green lace wing (1–3 plot⁻¹), spiders (1–3 plot⁻¹), Braconid (1–3 plot⁻¹) and Appanteles (1–3 plot⁻¹) on groundnut as evidenced by non significant difference between insecticide treatment and control plots. Significantly high pod yield of 1079 kg ha⁻¹ and cost benefit ratio of 1: 1.19 were recorded in imidacloprid 48 per cent FS treated plots.