Efficacy of Certain Chemicals and Neem Products against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2014-2015 at the central research farm of Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Deemed-to-be-University, Allahabad to evaluate the efficacy of certain chemicals and neem products against pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) The occurrence of pod borer commenced from 6th standard week (February second week) with an average population of 0.25 larvae/plant. The pod borer population increased and gradually reached its peak level of 6.25 larvae/plant at 13th standard week (March last week) there after declined trend was observed as temperature increased. It was observed that the temperature between 27-35 0C favored the multiplication of gram pod borer. The per cent population reduction of gram pod borer H. armigera on third, seventh and fourteenth days after spraying revealed that all treatments are superior over control. Among the treatments spinosad 45 SC found superior over all the treatments followed by cypermethrin and indoxacarb after first and second sprays, respectively. Highest reduction in larval population (72.12%) was observed with spinosad 45 SC @ 0.5 ml/l. Minimum pod damage of 11.98% and highest yield of 1745 Kg/ha was registered in spinosad. Highest cost benefit ratio (C:B) was recorded in spinosad (1:2.36) followed by cypermethrin (1:1.94), indoxacarb (1:1.84), chlorpyriphos (1:1.60), profenophos (1:1.34), NSKE (1:1.20) and neem oil (1:0.90).