Plethora (Novaluron + Indoxacarb) insecticide for the management of tomato fruit borer complex

During the past three decades, efforts have been made to reduce the risk of human exposure to pesticides specially insecticides. There is a great demand for safer and more selective insecticides that spare natural enemies and non target organisms. The present investigation was conducted during rabi season 2009 and 2010, to test the effectiveness of recently developed new ready mix insecticide Plethora (Novaluron 5.25 %+ Indoxacarb 4.5% SC) along with other insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera Hub and Spodoptera litura Fab. infesting tomato. It is observed that Plethora @ 875 ml/ha recorded only 3.75% fruit damage, while in control plot it was 45.6%. Though highest cost benefit ratio (1:6.17) was obtained when Plethora was applied at 825 ml/ha. Independently novaluron performed well specially against S. litura and indoxacarb showed better performance against H. armigera but lamda-cyhalothrin expressed comparatively lower performance than other selected insecticides which received 28.30% fruit infestation.