Field Evaluation of Spinetoram 12 SC against Spodoptera litura Fabricius on Pigeonpea

Spodoptera litura (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is a notorious leaf damaging pest in Tamil Nadu in pigeonpea and responsible for considerable yield loss. A new biological insecticide spinetoram 12 SC was evaluated for effect on S. litura on pigeonpea 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. ha-1 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 larval population on pigeonpea plants and in increasing the grain yield. All the spinetoram doses did not show any phytotoxic symptoms on pigeonpea plants.