On Farm Demonstration and Evaluation of Synthetic Insecticides for the Control of Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) on Chickpea in Bale Zone

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the world’s second most important grain legumes after common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) among food legumes grown for production worldwide. Ethiopia is considered as secondary center of genetic diversity for chickpea. Field experiment was conducted at two districts with the objectives to demonstrate different insecticide for the control of pod borer on chickpea and to give awareness on the use and effectiveness of the insecticide against pod borer on chick pea. The experiment was conducted using one chickpea variety; Habru (more preferred) and two insecticide Diazenon (1.2l/ha) and Karate (400ml/ha). The result revealed that both insecticides were effective against pod borer even if they have slight difference on percent larval reductions at both districts. The pod borer damage reduction by different treatments ranged from 71.87% to 90.63% and 58.33% to 66.66% compared to that in control at Ginir and Goro, respectively. Diazenon resulted maximum seed yield 2610kg/ha and 2200kg/ha at Ginir and Goro, respectively. The plot sprayed with Diazenon gave the maximum net return birr 75,348/ha and 61,120/ha at Ginir and Goro, respectively. It is recommended that these insecticides are suggested to the growers for the management of pod borer population below economic threshold level under field conditions.