Efficacy of different new insecticidal formulations in different methods of application for controlling sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rond

Field tests in 1976-79 with 13 insecticides applied in various formulations as seed treatments, soil treatments or sprays against Atherigona soccata Rond. on sorghum in Tamil Nadu, India, were carried out in order to determine the most effective and economical means of control. It was found that 3 spray applications of phosalone, diazinon or demeton-S-methyl (Metasystox), all at 0.05%, were as effective as 3% granules (ordinary or encapsulated) of carbofuran applied in the soil. All carbofuran formulations (sprays applied in the leaf-whorl or soil, or granules and dusts applied as seed or soil treatments) proved effective. In seed-soaking tests, seeds soaked in solutions of monocrotophos at a rate equivalent to 8 g toxicant/acre and 40% flowable carbofuran at 50 g toxicant/acre developed into sorghum plants having the lowest percentages of dead-hearts caused by A. soccata