Field Evaluation of Spinetoram 12 SC against Pod Borer Complex on Pigeonpea

Pigeonpea pod borer complex comprises of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Maruca vitrata (Geyer), Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus), Exelastis atomosa (Walshinghan) and Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) in Tamil Nadu responsible for considerable yield loss. Effect of a new biological insecticide molecule, spinetoram 12 SC was studied on pod borers at field conditions during 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 kharif seasons. Spinetoram 12 SC was applied as foliar spray at 27, 36 and 45 g a.i. ha⁻¹ and compared with emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 11 g a.i.ha⁻¹, spinosad 45 SC@ 78 g a.i.ha¹ and monocrotophos 36 SL @ 500 g a.i. ha^−1. Results indicated that spinetoram 12 SC was significantly effective at 36 and 45 g a.i. ha⁻¹, when sprayed thrice at 15 days interval in minimizing pod damages on pigeonpea, and in increasing grain yield. All the spinetoram doses did not show any phytotoxic symptoms on pigeonpea plants.