Field efficacy of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) hardwick on pigeonpea

A field experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy of different insecticides against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hbner) Hardwick infesting pigeonpea at Junagadh Agricultural University campus, Junagadh during Kharif-Rabi season of 2006-07. The results revealed that indoxacarb 0.007 per cent, spinosad 0.005 per cent and emamectine benzoate 0.005 per cent were found to be the most effective in reducing the gram pod borer population. The highest yield was also recorded in the treatment of indoxacarb 0.007 per cent (1658 kg/ ha) followed by spinosad 0.005 per cent (1582 kg/ha) and emamectine benzoate 0.005 per cent (1494 kg/ha). The treatment of indoxacarb 0.007 per cent was found most economical as it gave the highest cost benefit ratio (1:7.546) followed by endosulfan 0.07 per cent (1: 6.766), cypermetrin 0.006 per cent (1: 5.492), novaluron 0.01 per cent (1: 5.376). Considering the overall efficacy, yield and economics of different insecticides, two sprays of indoxacarb 0.007 per cent, endosulfan 0.07 per cent, cypermetrin 0.006 per cent, novaluron 0.01 per cent can be recommend for effective and economical control of gram pod borer infesting pigeonpea.