Comparative Field Efficacy of Dust Formulation and Liquid Formulation of Steinernema seemae Based Biopesticide and other IPM Options against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) Infesting Chickpea

A field trial was conducted at new research farm of Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur to evaluate efficacy of Steinernema seemae, a heat tolerant and desiccant tolerant EPN based dust and liquid formulation against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) attacking chickpea cv. JG 16 a wilt resistant genotype. There were six treatments replicated 4 times arranged in a randomized block design. Application of dust formulation containing S. seemae @ 1 X 10⁹ IJs/ha was done in 20 m² plot size, using talc based material. Application of liquid formulation of S. seemae @1 X 10⁹ IJs/ha along with mixing of adjuvants like surfactatant, U.V. retardant, phagostimulant, antidesiccant were sprayed using hand compression fitted with fluid jet nozzle @1 X 10⁹ IJs/ha during evening hrs at the time of pod formation. Other treatments containing NSKE @ 5%, NPV @ 1% and Bt toxin @ 2% along with untreated control. All treatments were applied in late during late°C March when temperature rises to 42–45°C. At maturity pod samples were drawn and analyzed for pod borer incidence. The lowest pod damage was recorded in the liquid formulation followed by dust formulation of EPN. Pod damage data exhibited that pod damage was on par in EPN based liquid formulation as well as in dust formulation. The highest yield was obtained in EPN liquid formulation followed by dust formulation and NSKE. Yield data obtained for dust and liquid formulation were on par in this location, however numerically liquid formulation is better than dust formulation. The unavoidable yield losses due to H. armigera among bioagents was highest in Bt toxin @2% followed by NPV @1%. Among the treatments the data are significant as well as the highest yield increase over control was 63.05% in EPN liquid formulation followed by EPN dust formulation (62.45%). The lowest yield was in control followed by Bt toxin.