Field Efficacy of Steinernema masoodi Based Biopesticide against Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner) Infesting Chickpea

A trial was laid out to test the efficacy of S. masoodi against gram pod borer, H. armigera infesting chickpea under field conditions at Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur. S. masoodi based biopesticide along with adjuvant acting as surfactant, anti desiccant, UV retardant were sprayed @ 3.0 x 10⁹ infective juveniles/ha on chickpea cv. L 550 grown in 4 m² plots covered with insect proof net. At the time of flowering and fruiting 300 larvae of H. armigera (3^rd instar) were released inside the net and EPN biopesticide was sprayed. At maturity pod samples were drawn and analyzed for pod borer incidence. Only 12.4% pod damage was recorded against 34.8% in untreated. Yield was 1475 kg/ha in treated and 875 kg/ha in untreated control thus giving rise to 68.6% increase in yield. The findings indicate the potential of EPN based biopesticide against this dreaded pest in chickpea.