Efficacy of Seed Treatment with Carbosulfan against Shoot Fly Species (Atherigona soccata and A. naqvii) in Spring Sown Maize

The efficacy of maize treated seeds with carbosulfan 25 STD @ 20 g/kg seed and 40 g/kg seed, kept for 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 months before sowing, were evaluated against shoot fly species (Atherigona soccata Rondani and A. naqvii Steyskal) during spring, 1992 and 1993. Seven biological parameters viz, oviposition, dead-heart formation, seed viability, vigour index, total chlorophyll content of the leaf, leaf area and plant height were studied. Carbosulfan treated seeds stored for different periods, upto 16 months did not loose its efficacy in controlling the shoot fly species. Instead, it helped in retaining the seed viability during storage and also increased the seedling vigour, chlorophyll content, total leaf area and plant height tremendously.