Evaluation of different insecticides for the management of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) on onion (Allium cepa L.) crops

Abstract The efficacy of five insecticides containing a.i. bifenthrin, dimethoate, spinosad, spinetoram and chlorfenapyr was evaluated following RCBD against Thrips tabaci in farmer’s field for two consecutive years. The data were recorded before and after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days of spraying. The results showed that all the insecticides reduced thrips populations compared to controls. However, the maximum reduction in thrips population and highest onion bulb yield (34.07 t/ha) was obtained with dimethoate 40EC followed by bifenthrin 10EC (33.14 t/ha). The minimum onion bulb yield (25.71 t/ha) was obtained in the control, where no insecticide was applied against thrips. If onion thrips are not controlled, the damage they cause can reduce bulb yields by 9-25%. The highest incremental return over the control (Rs.83, 600/ha), net income (Rs.82, 913/ha) and maximum cost benefit ratio were also obtained in the treatment with dimethoate 40EC.