Comparative management of Maruca vitrata (geyer) in pigeonpea with Bacillus thuringiensis, cultural practices and chemical pesticides

Comparative control of the pod borer (Maruca vitrata) attacking pigeonpea pods by the application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, indoxacarb, chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, cypermethrin, spinosad, inter-cropping with sorghum and clipping of webs is reported. The minimum pod damage was observed with chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (7.20%), which was at par with emamectin benzoate 5 SG (7.57%) and spinosad 45 SC (8.43%) with the grain yield of 1500 kg ha⁻¹ of pigeon pea with chlorantraniliprole followed by emamectin benzoate (1407.41 kg ha⁻¹) and spinosad 45 SC (1370.37 kg ha⁻¹). B. thuringiensis (27.16%) and the cultural practices were also effective in reducing pod damage and were superior to the untreated control.