Efficacy of Emulsifiable Concentrates and Dust Formulations of Fenvalerate in Comparison to Other Insecticides Against Hellothis Armigera Hubner and Melanagromyza Obtusa Malloch Infesting Pigeonpea

Relative efficacy of emulsifiable concentrates and dust formulations of fenva-lerate in comparison to other synthetic pyrethroids and conventional insecticides was evaluated against Heliothis armigera Hb. and Melanagromyza obtusa Mall. during 1986–87 and 1987–88 at Anand, Gujarat. Insecticides were applied twice at a 15 day interval initiating at 50% pod formation stage. Fenvalerate (E.C.) 0.02% and 0.01% as well as fenvalerate 0.4% dust at 25 kgjha were effective in checking H. armigera in-festation in pods. The dust formulations of fenvalerate (0.4%) and quinalphos (1.5%) were equally effective in checking He'iothis infestation. Maximum protection against the podfly infestation to pods and grain was by fenvalerate 0.02% which was at par with 0.01% fenvalerate spray and monocrotophos (0.04%). Maximum grain yield was obtained from plots treated with fenvalerate 0.02% followed by monocrotophos 0.04%. None of the insecticides evaluated caused any visual phytotoxic effect on pigeonpea crop.