Comparative efficacy of some insecticidal modules incorporating biopesticides and or newer synthetic insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in chickpea under Punjab conditions

Results of research trials conducted to test the efficacy of various botanicals, microbials and novel chemical insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) infesting chickpea during rabi 2016-17 and 2017-18 are reported. Among the different treatments tested, the lowest larval population (0.00 larva per meter row length), pod damage (1.41%) and maximum grain yield (1950 kg ha⁻¹) were recorded in treatment T7 involving 3 sprays of indoxacarb 14.5 SC as compared to untreated control (pod damage of 29.22 % and grain yield of 1140 kg ha⁻¹). Maximum benefitcost ratio of 6.9 was also recorded in this treatment T₇ followed by T₆ (6.8) (novaluron 10 EC @ 37.5 g a.i. ha⁻¹- chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 25 g a.i. ha⁻¹- emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 11g a.i.ha⁻¹) and T₅ (6.1) with neem kavach @ 2.5 L ha⁻¹- indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 66 g a.i. ha⁻¹- deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 11.25 g a.i. ha⁻¹. All the combinations of botanicals, microbials and novel insecticide treatments proved to be significantly superior over the untreated control.