Calendar based application of newer insecticides for the management of gram pod borer in chickpea

Abstract

Ravages of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) throughout chickpea growth period especially in reproductive phase is the major bottle neck in attainment of desired productivity level of chickpea, the most important rabi pulse crop of Maharashtra. Present study was framed to devise farmer friendly module for gram pod borer management by targeting pod borer abundance with calendar based application approach on chickpea, grown under residual moisture conditions during rabi 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Akola and Yavatmal in 2010-11. Evaluation of eleven modules along with control categorically revealed superiority of module comprised of spraying of deltamethrin 1EC + triazophos 35EC ready mix formulation @ 2.5ml per litre of water at 50% flowering stage of crop followed by a second spray of emamectin benzoate 5SG @ 0.3g per litre of water at 15 day after first application of insecticide as the most effective and economic module for gram pod borer management. The module also registered the highest yield (20.9 q/ha) and net profit (Rs. 16172/ ha) along with Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio of 1: 6.0