Bioefficacy of Bifenthrin Against Insect Pests in Brinjal

Field trials were conducted during 2004 and 2005 to evaluate the bioefficacy of bifenthrin 10 EC, a broad-spectrum insecticide against leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) in brinjal. Two sprays of bifenthrin 10 EC @ 80 g. a.i./ha at 7 days interval with a first spray at two months after transplanting, was found effective and at par to its higher dose of 120 and 160 g a. i./ha in reducing brinjal shoot and fruit borer infestation (number and weight basis). Bifenthrin also reduced the infestation of whitefly and leafhopper up to five days of application. The highest marketable yield of 237.6 and 255.9 q/ha was recorded in case of bifenthrin 10EC at the rate of 160 g. a. i./ha which was at par with 120 and 80 g a. i./ha and endosulfan 35 EC @ 700 g. a. i./ha with average marketable fruit yield of 230.5 and 250.96, 233.9 and 245.35, 217.9 and 248.4 q/ha as against 153.1and 168.4 q/ha during 2004 and 2005, respectively. Two sprays of bifenthrin 10 EC @60 g.a.i./ha was found least effective against sucking insect pests and shoot and fruit borer. Also the insecticide did not cause adverse effects on the population of natural enemies and phytotoxicity on brinjal plants.