Optimization of Time of Application of Plant Protection Measures for Management of Mustard Sawfly, Athalia lugens proxima (Klug.)

Foliar pesticide spray schedule against mustard sawfly, Athalia lugens proxima (Klug.) is reported under field conditions at Junagadh, Gujarat during rabi 2012–13 and 2013–14. Schedule 3 (consisting of thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.006% at seedling stage, emamectin benzoate 5 WG @ 0.0025% at pre-flowering stage and Nomuraea rileyi @ 2.5 kg per ha⁻¹ at 50% flowering stage) was superior in causing mortality to sawfly up to 69.63 per cent while the Schedule 4 (flonicamid 50 WG @0.02%, 20–25 DAS, flubendiamide 480 SC @0.014%, 40–55 DAS, azadirachtin @300 ppm, 60–65 DAS, combi-product of acephate 25% and fenvalerate 3% EC @0.028%, 70–75 DAS) was the next best (66.84% mortality). However, the grain yield was the highest in Schedule 4 (1302 kg per ha⁻¹), followed by Schedule 3 (1218 kg per ha⁻¹) and schedule 5 (1172 kg per ha⁻¹), as compared to control (Schedule 6, 500 kg ha⁻¹). The highest net realization was found in Schedule 4 (Rs. 29674 ha⁻¹) followed by schedule 3 (Rs. 26566 ha⁻¹). Schedule 2 showed the highest ICBR ratio (1: 6.7) followed by Schedule 3 (1: 6.3) and Schedule 4 (1: 6.3), whereas Schedule 1 (1: 3.1) gave significantly lower ICBR ratio than the other schedules. The Schedule 4 seems to have the overall potential for adoption.