Comparative efficacy of selected chemicals and biopesticides against gram pod borer [Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)] (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

The present field studies were conducted during Kharif 2017 at Central agriculture field, SHUATS (Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (India). All the eight treatments Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin, Spinosad, Novaluron, Neem oil, NSKE and Beauveria bassiana including control reduced the infestation as compared to the untreated plot of control. The minimum per cent of infestation was observed in Spinosad 45%SC (1.036%) followed by Cypermethrin 10%EC (1.053%), Novaluron 10%EC (1.074%), Chlorpyrifos 20%EC (1.080%), Neem oil 5% (1.092%), Beauveria bassiana (1.105%) and NSKE 5% (1.130%) are least among all the treatments. When Cost benefit ratio was worked out, interesting result was achieved. Among the treatment studied, the best and most economical treatment was T3 Spinosad (1:2.22) followed by T2 Cypermethrin (1:2.17), T4 Novaluron (1:1.88), T1 chlorpyrifos (1:1.74), T6 Neem oil (1:1.54), T7 Beauveria bassiana (1:1.25), T5 NSKE (1:1.15) as compared to T8 Control (1:0.81).