Ready-mix formulation of buprofezin 23.1%+fipronil 3.85% SC for eco-friendly and economic management of brown plant hopper in rice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the field effectiveness vis.-a-vis. non-target toxicity of ready mix formulation of an insect growth regulator buprofezin and one phenylpyrazole fipronil against brown plant hopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.) of rice during rabi 2014–15 and kharif 2015. The results revealed that buprofezin 23.1% + fipronil 3.85% SC at higher dosages effectively reduced the brown plant hopper population during the first and second season (0.00–21.33 and 0.00–24.33 number of nymphs and adults per 3 hills) as compared to standard check molecules (9.00–26.26 and 10.00–34.08 number of nymphs and adults per 3 hills), respectively. Highest mean per cent reduction of brown plant hopper population was encountered in buprofezin 23.1%+fipronil 3.85% SC @ 875 (75.4 and 81.38% during first and second season) and 750 (72.5 and 76.34% during first and second season) ml/ha, respectively, during both the seasons. The test chemistry at lower to medium dosages found very soft against the predatory fauna viz., Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Oxyopes spp. and Lycosa spp. with mean per cent mortality of less than 5% during both the seasons. Highest yield was obtained from the higher dosages of buprofezin 23.1%+fipronil 3.85% SC (48.85 and 50.88 q/ha) as compared to standard checks (36.04 39.61 q/ha), whereas highest benefit was registered by the test chemistry at 750 ml/ha (1: 5.79) which was considered as the recommended dose for the farming community from pest management, eco-toxicology and economic point of view.